WBCS Prelims 2021 Question Paper with Answers & Explanations

Explanation

Claustrophobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by an intense and irrational fear of confined, enclosed, or small spaces. The term originates from the Latin word claustrum, which means a shut-in place, and the Greek word phobos, which means fear. Individuals experiencing this condition often feel a sense of panic, breathlessness, or a loss of control when inside restricted environments such as elevators, tunnels, small windowless rooms, or crowded enclosed spaces.

Explanation

The verb alight means to descend or get off from a vehicle such as a bus, train, or carriage. It is standard English usage to pair this verb with the preposition from to describe the act of exiting a form of transportation. Therefore, alighted perfectly completes the sentence to indicate leaving the bus.

Explanation

The idiom under the weather is a common English expression used to describe feeling slightly sick, ill, or indisposed. The phrase has nautical origins, referring to sailors going below deck to protect themselves and recover when they felt seasick due to rough weather.

Explanation

The word vicissitude refers to a change, variation, or shift in circumstances, fortune, or phases of life, especially those that occur naturally or unexpectedly over time. Derived from the Latin word vicissitudo, which means change or alternation, it is commonly used to describe the ups and downs, alterations, or inevitable mutations that characterize human existence and the natural world.

Explanation

The word supercilious is an adjective that describes someone who behaves or looks as though they think they are superior to others, displaying patronizing superiority, arrogance, or disdain. The word haughty shares this exact definition, referring to someone who is arrogantly superior and disdainful. Both words are used to describe individuals with an overbearing pride and a condescending attitude toward others.

Explanation

The word officious describes someone who is annoyingly eager to help or advise, often in a meddling, intrusive, or overbearing manner. Such an individual typically behaves with an exaggerated sense of authority or self-importance, making self-important the correct definition.

Explanation

The verb preside is transitively followed by the preposition over to form the phrasal verb preside over, which means to be in a position of authority, control, or leadership during a meeting, ceremony, or discussion.

Explanation

When a singular subject is connected to other nouns or pronouns using prepositional phrases starting with words like with, along with, together with, or as well as, the verb agrees in number with the main subject. In this sentence, the singular noun the ship is the primary subject, whereas with its crew is an additional prepositional phrase that does not change the subject's number. Consequently, the singular subject requires the singular verb was.

Explanation

An apiary, also known as a bee yard, is a location where beehives of honey bees are kept. The term is derived from the Latin word apis, which means bee. Apiaries are established to facilitate the collection of honey, beeswax, and pollination services for agricultural crops.

Explanation

The word accommodation is spelled with a double c and a double m. It is derived from the Latin word accommodare, which is a combination of ad, con, and modus, meaning to make fit or adapt. In standard English lexicography, this spelling pattern with two c's and two m's is universally accepted across all major dictionaries.

Explanation

The prefix in- is used with the adjective capable to form its direct antonym, incapable. This prefix is of Latin origin and means not, thereby changing the meaning of the base word to unable to do or achieve something.

Explanation

The idiom holier-than-thou is used to describe someone who behaves as if they are morally superior, self-righteous, or excessively virtuous compared to others. This aligns precisely with the definition of sanctimonious, which refers to making a hypocritical show of being morally superior or holier than other people.

Explanation

The idiomatic expression "make both ends meet" means to earn just enough money to live on or to cover one's essential expenses. The phrasal verb "get by" carries the exact same meaning of managing to survive, cope, or exist financially with the bare minimum resources.

Explanation

The idiomatic expression "once in a blue moon" is used to describe an event that happens very rarely. The phrase is derived from the astronomical phenomenon of a second full moon occurring within a single calendar month, which is an infrequent event happening roughly once every two to three years.

Explanation

The word weird refers to something that is strikingly odd, strange, bizarre, or departing from what is usual or expected. The exact opposite or antonym of weird is normal, which describes something that is standard, typical, usual, or conforming to an expected pattern or regular state of affairs.

Explanation

To convert a declarative sentence into an interrogative sentence, the most common and direct method is to transform it into a yes/no question by inverting the subject and the auxiliary verb. The original sentence "I will meet you tomorrow" becomes "Will you meet me tomorrow?" when questioned directly. Option C, "Will you meet me?", is the closest form of this direct transformation, focusing on the core action of meeting. Option D, "When will you meet me?", asks for specific information (time) which is already provided in the original sentence ("tomorrow"), making it less of a direct conversion of the statement itself into a question.

Explanation

The preposition "by" is used to express the margin, degree, or extent of difference between two things being compared. In this sentence, "by" is the appropriate preposition to indicate the specific measurement of two inches by which the subject's height exceeds the other person's height.

Explanation

The word superficial is used to describe something that is shallow, existing or occurring only on the surface, or lacking in depth and substance. Its direct opposite is deep, which describes something that extends far down from the surface or possesses great depth, complexity, and thoroughness.

Explanation

The verb rewind is an irregular verb. Like its base form wind, which conjugates to wound in the past tense, the past tense and past participle form of rewind is rewound.

Explanation

The word serenity is derived from the Latin word serenus, which means clear, fair, or calm. In English, serenity refers to the state or quality of being peaceful, tranquil, and untroubled. When describing a place, it denotes a peaceful and quiet atmosphere. Calmness is a direct synonym that perfectly captures this sense of peace, tranquility, and quietude, making it the most appropriate contextual replacement in the sentence.

Explanation

The sentence describes a longer ongoing background action that was interrupted by a sudden event in the past. In English grammar, the past continuous tense is used alongside the simple past tense to show that an action was already in progress when another action occurred. The conjunction "while" specifically introduces the continuous background action, making "was sitting" the correct grammatical form to denote the state of being in progress at the moment the ball was thrown.

Explanation

The indefinite article a is used before words starting with a consonant sound, while an is used before words starting with a vowel sound. The word one begins with the vowel letter o, but its phonetic pronunciation starts with the consonant sound /w/ (as in won). Therefore, the correct article to use before one-eyed person is a, making the sentence grammatically correct.

Explanation

The indefinite article is determined by the phonetic sound of the initial letter of the following word, rather than the written letter itself. Although the word unique begins with the vowel letter u, it starts with the consonant sound /juː/ (similar to the sound of the letter y). Therefore, the indefinite article a is used instead of an.

Explanation

The adjective offended is followed by the preposition with when referring to a person. In this sentence, the object of the offense is me, which represents a person, making with the correct preposition. When referring to actions, words, or inanimate things, the preposition at or by is used instead.

Explanation

Narcissism is the term used to describe an excessive interest in or admiration of oneself, particularly one's physical appearance or self-importance. The word originates from the Greek mythological figure Narcissus, a handsome youth who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. In modern usage and psychology, it denotes an extreme self-love, self-centeredness, or egotism.

Explanation

Chhattisgarh is the only state in India that produces tin concentrates. The primary ore of tin, cassiterite, is mined in the Govindpal-Tongpal area of the Dantewada and Bastar districts. The state-run Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC) works in collaboration with local tribal cooperative societies to collect and process this ore. Although resources of tin are also reported in other parts of the country like Haryana and Odisha, commercial production remains strictly confined to Chhattisgarh, making it both the sole and highest producer of tin in India.

Explanation

Sandhyakar Nandi was a prominent classical Sanskrit poet of the Pala Empire. He is celebrated for composing the Ramacharitam, a unique historical epic written during the reign of Madanapala. The poem is renowned for its use of the Shlesha literary device, which allows each verse to carry a double meaning. One narrative depicts the mythological story of Rama from the Ramayana, while the parallel narrative chronicles the historical events of the Pala king Ramapala, particularly his successful suppression of the Kaivarta rebellion in the Varendra region and the restoration of Pala authority.

Explanation

Alauddin Khilji was a free-born noble of the Khalji clan and the nephew as well as the son-in-law of Jalaluddin Khalji, the founder of the Khalji dynasty. He held prestigious administrative positions, such as the governorship of Kara and Oudh, before ascending the throne of Delhi in 1296. He was never subjected to slavery at any point in his life.

Explanation

Under Article 217 of the Constitution of India, the Chief Justice of a High Court is appointed by the President of India. The President makes this appointment by warrant under his hand and seal, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India and the Governor of the respective State.

Explanation

Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a prominent nationalist, social reformer, and key leader of the Indian independence movement, coined and popularized the historic slogan Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it during the Home Rule Movement in 1916. Often referred to as Lokmanya, Tilak was a staunch advocate of self-rule (Swaraj) and used this slogan to inspire the Indian masses, transforming the freedom struggle into a widespread public movement against British colonial rule.

Explanation

The root-mean-square speed of molecules in an ideal gas is given by the formula

vᵣₘₛ = √((3RT)/(M))

where R is the universal gas constant, T is the absolute temperature, and M is the molar mass of the gas.

The most probable speed of the gas molecules is given by the formula

vₘₚ = √((2RT)/(M))

To find the ratio of the root-mean-square speed to the most probable speed, we divide the two expressions:

vᵣₘₛ{vₘₚ} = (√(3RT)/(M)){√((2RT)/(M))} = √(³⁄₂)

This gives the ratio of √3 : √2.

Explanation

The Valley of Kashmir, also known as the Vale of Kashmir, is a synclinal basin situated in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent. Geographically, it is nestled between the Great Himalayan Range, represented here by the Zaskar Range on the northeast, and the Pir Panjal Range of the Lesser Himalayas on the southwest. This fertile valley is drained by the Jhelum River, which meanders through the alluvial and lacustrine deposits of the basin before cutting a deep gorge through the Pir Panjal Range to flow toward the plains.

Explanation

The angular velocity ω of a hand of a clock is given by the formula ω = (2π)/(T), where T represents the time period required for one complete rotation.

The hour hand completes one full rotation in 12 hours, so its time period is Tₕ = 12 hours. Thus, its angular velocity is ωₕ = (2π)/(12) rad/hour.

The minute hand completes one full rotation in 1 hour, so its time period is Tₘ = 1 hour. Thus, its angular velocity is ωₘ = (2π)/(1) rad/hour.

The ratio of the velocity of the hour hand to the velocity of the minute hand is:

(ωₕ)/(ωₘ) = (2π)/(12){(2π)/(1)} = ¹⁄₁₂

This gives a velocity ratio of 1 : 12.

Explanation

Medha Patkar is the prominent social activist who founded and led the Narmada Bachao Andolan starting in 1985. The movement was mobilized as a peaceful protest against the construction of a series of large dams being built across the Narmada River, most notably the Sardar Sarovar Dam. She championed the rights of the indigenous tribal people, farmers, and environmentalists who faced displacement and ecological devastation due to these massive reservoir projects.

Explanation

On June 22, 1897, the Chapekar brothers, Damodar Hari Chapekar and Balkrishna Hari Chapekar, assassinated Walter Charles Rand, who was the British Plague Commissioner of Pune, along with his military escort Lieutenant Ayerst. The assassination was a direct response to the tyrannical, high-handed, and culturally insensitive plague prevention measures enforced by Rand and the British administration in Pune. This event is recognized as the first act of revolutionary militant nationalism and the first political assassination of a British official by Indian nationalists after the Revolt of 1857.

Explanation

Vikramashila Vihara was established by the Pala emperor Dharmapala in the late eighth or early ninth century. It was founded to serve as a premier center of Buddhist learning, complementing the already existing Nalanda University. Located at Antichak in the Bhagalpur district of present-day Bihar, Vikramashila flourished for over four centuries as a major seat of Vajrayana Buddhist scholarship and attracted students and scholars from across Asia, including the famous teacher Atisha Dipankara.

Explanation

This quote is widely attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, representing his foundational philosophy of non-violence (Ahimsa). Gandhi advocated for peaceful resistance and Satyagraha as powerful alternatives to physical force and retaliation. He believed that responding to violence with violence only perpetuates a cycle of destruction, whereas non-violent protest and moral courage are the true means to achieve justice and social change.

Explanation

The Siachen Glacier is located in the eastern Karakoram Range of the Himalayas, just northeast of the point NJ9842 where the Line of Control between India and Pakistan ends. Spanning a length of approximately 76 kilometers, it is the longest glacier in the Karakoram Range and the second-longest non-polar glacier in the world. The glacier is the source of the Nubra River, which flows into the Shyok River, a major tributary of the Indus River system. Due to its strategic location and extreme high-altitude conditions, it is also known as the highest battlefield in the world, secured by India during Operation Meghdoot in April 1984.

Explanation

Louise Glück, an acclaimed American poet and essayist, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2020. The Swedish Academy recognized her for her unmistakable poetic voice that with austere beauty makes individual existence universal. Her poetry, often characterized by a spare and candid tone, frequently draws on classical myths and personal memories to explore themes of trauma, family relationships, loss, and isolation.

Explanation

The patriotic song "Ban eshechhe mora gange" was composed by the legendary Bengali poet, lyricist, and ballad singer Mukunda Das (originally named Yajneshwar De). Often referred to as Charankabi (the bard), Mukunda Das played a pivotal role in the Swadeshi movement during the Partition of Bengal in 1905. He used his music, poetry, and traditional musical theatre (Jatra) to awaken political consciousness, foster Hindu-Muslim unity, and mobilize the rural population of Bengal against British colonial rule.

Explanation

The Sabooj Sathi scheme was launched by the Government of West Bengal in 2015 to distribute free bicycles to school-going students. The program specifically covers students studying in classes IX to XII in all government, government-aided, and government-sponsored schools, as well as Madrasahs across the state.

The primary objectives of this welfare initiative are to enhance student access to secondary education, reduce dropout rates, and encourage students to pursue higher studies. Additionally, it aims to boost confidence and promote mobility among female students while providing an environment-friendly and healthy mode of transportation. The West Bengal Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes Development and Finance Corporation acts as the nodal agency responsible for the procurement and distribution of these bicycles.

Explanation

The Indian National Army (INA), also known as the Azad Hind Fauj, adopted a flag based on the tricolour of saffron, white, and green. In the middle of this flag, on the white band, was a depiction of a springing tiger. The springing tiger served as a powerful emblem of courage, strength, and the militant struggle for India's independence, reflecting the revolutionary spirit of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his soldiers.

Explanation

At absolute zero (0 K), pure silicon has no thermal energy to excite electrons. All valence electrons remain confined within their respective covalent bonds, which means the valence band is completely filled and the conduction band is completely empty. Since there are no free charge carriers available to conduct electricity, the material exhibits infinite electrical resistance and behaves as a perfect insulator.

Explanation

Wealth Tax is a direct tax levied on the accumulated assets and wealth owned by individuals, Hindu Undivided Families, and companies. Under the Wealth Tax Act of 1957, the tax liability is imposed directly on the owner of the assets, meaning the tax burden is non-transferable and must be paid directly to the government by the taxpayer. This direct relationship between the taxpayer and the tax collection authority defines it as a direct tax.

Explanation

The tropical cyclone Yaas, which developed in the Bay of Bengal in May 2021, was named by Oman. The word Yaas is of Persian origin and translates to jasmine in English. Under the standard procedure established by the World Meteorological Organization/United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (WMO/ESCAP) Panel on Tropical Cyclones, member countries in the region suggest names for tropical cyclones on a rotational basis.

Explanation

The Chambal Valley is characterized by extensive badland topography, which is locally referred to as the Chambal ravines. This distinctive landscape is primarily the result of severe gully erosion caused by the Chambal River and its tributaries carving through the thick, soft alluvial soils of the region. Due to the semi-arid climate, sparse vegetation cover, and episodic heavy rainfall, the vertical cutting of soil is highly pronounced. This process creates a deeply dissected network of ravines, sharp ridges, and narrow valleys, rendering the land barren and completely unfit for agricultural cultivation.

Explanation

The Eka Movement, also known as the Unity Movement, was a peasant movement that emerged in late 1921 in the northern districts of Awadh, including Hardoi, Bahraich, and Barabanki. Led by Madari Pasi and other leaders from underprivileged backgrounds, the movement was a protest by tenant farmers against high rents, arbitrary evictions, and oppressive practices of landlords and contractors, such as the extraction of forced labor. The participating peasants took symbolic vows to pay only the recorded rents and to resist any illegal demands made by the landholders.

Explanation

Pather Dabi is a famous Bengali novel written by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay and published in 1926. The novel portrays the operations of a secret revolutionary society of the same name, whose objective was to free India from British colonial rule. The narrative is centered around its main protagonist, Sabyasachi, a highly charismatic and elusive revolutionary leader who mobilizes forces against the colonizers. Because of its powerful nationalist themes and its potent critique of British imperial rule, the British colonial administration banned the book shortly after its publication.

Explanation

The power P of a lens is inversely proportional to its focal length f. When the focal length is measured in centimeters, the relationship is given by the formula:

P = 100/f

By rearranging this formula to solve for the focal length, we get:

f = 100/P

Substituting the given value of power P = +2.0 D into the equation:

f = 100 / 2.0 = 50 cm

A lens with a positive power and a positive focal length has a converging action on light rays, which is the characteristic of a convex lens.

Explanation

The shiny surface of a compact disc contains millions of microscopic, closely spaced grooves or tracks that store digital data. When white light falls on the disc, this series of tracks acts as a reflection diffraction grating. The light waves bend and spread out as they reflect off these tiny grooves, a process known as diffraction. Since white light consists of multiple wavelengths, each wavelength (color) diffracts at a slightly different angle. These diffracted light waves then overlap and undergo constructive interference at specific angles, separating the white light into a brilliant rainbow-like spectrum of colors.

Explanation

Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. has been a lifelong member of the Democratic Party, representing it during his long tenure as a United States Senator from Delaware from 1973 to 2009, as the 47th Vice President of the United States under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017, and subsequently as the 46th President of the United States after winning the 2020 presidential election as the party nominee.

Explanation

In the final of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, both the main 50-over match and the subsequent Super Over ended in a tie. According to the tournament regulations set by the International Cricket Council (ICC) at that time, a tied Super Over was to be decided by the boundary count rule. Under this rule, the team that hit the higher number of boundaries (fours and sixes) throughout the entire match, including the Super Over, was declared the winner. England had scored 26 boundaries compared to New Zealand's 17, thereby winning the World Cup.

Explanation

The World Health Organization, in coordination with the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, officially designated the virus responsible for the pandemic as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, abbreviated as SARS-CoV-2. This designation was announced on February 11, 2020, to distinguish the name of the physical virus itself from COVID-19, which is the clinical disease caused by the virus. SARS-CoV-2 is genetically related to the coronavirus responsible for the SARS outbreak of 2003, though they are distinct viruses.

Explanation

The Dampier-Hodges Line represents the northern boundary of the Sundarbans delta. It was surveyed and demarcated in 1829 and 1830 by William Dampier, who served as the Commissioner of the Sundarbans, alongside Lieutenant Alexander Hodges, the surveyor of the region. This imaginary line passes through the South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal, indicating the northernmost limits of the estuarine zone that is affected by tidal fluctuations. It serves to separate the mangrove forest and intertidal ecosystem of the Sundarbans from the settled agricultural plains.

Explanation

Sir William Jones, a renowned philologist and scholar of oriental studies, founded the Asiatic Society on January 15, 1784, in Calcutta. Serving as a judge at the Supreme Court of Judicature at Fort William, he established the society to promote and systematically investigate the history, antiquities, arts, sciences, and literature of Asia. Under his leadership as its first president, the society became a premier center for Indological research, initiating deep studies into Sanskrit literature and translating various key ancient Indian texts into English.

Explanation

Amuktamalyada is an epic poem in Telugu composed by Krishnadeva Raya, the prominent emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire who ruled from 1509 to 1529. The title translates to "she who offered the garland after wearing it herself," referencing the life of Andal, the famous Tamil Alvar poet-saint, and her devotion to Lord Ranganatha. Krishnadeva Raya was a great poet and a renowned patron of art and literature, and his court, known as the Bhuvana Vijayam, was adorned by eight celebrated Telugu poets called the Ashtadiggajas.

Explanation

Sushil Chandra assumed office as the 24th Chief Election Commissioner of India on April 13, 2021, succeeding Sunil Arora. Prior to this appointment, he had been serving as an Election Commissioner since February 15, 2019. He is a 1980-batch Indian Revenue Service officer and previously served as the chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes before joining the Election Commission.

Explanation

The Sixty-first Amendment Act of 1988 reduced the voting age for elections to the Lok Sabha and to the Legislative Assemblies of the States from 21 years to 18 years. This amendment modified Article 326 of the Indian Constitution, which deals with elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assemblies of States on the basis of adult suffrage. The change came into force on March 28, 1989, under the government of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, with the aim of providing the unrepresented youth of the country an opportunity to participate in the political process.

Explanation

Article 18 of the Constitution of India abolishes titles and prohibits the state from conferring any titles other than military or academic distinctions. This article is a crucial component of the Right to Equality, which is guaranteed under Articles 14 to 18 in Part III of the Constitution. By preventing the creation of a nobility or any privileged class through state-sponsored titles, Article 18 ensures democratic equality and the equal status of all citizens.

Explanation

Manpreet Singh was appointed as the captain of the Indian Men's Hockey Team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which were held in 2021. Under his captaincy, the team secured a historic bronze medal, ending India's 41-year-long Olympic medal drought in hockey since the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

Explanation

The Kanyashree Scheme, launched by the Government of West Bengal, is a conditional cash transfer scheme designed to improve the educational status and overall well-being of adolescent girls. While the scheme generally mandates an annual family income ceiling of Rs 1,20,000 for eligibility, this income bar is completely waived under specific circumstances to ensure social protection for vulnerable girls. The income limit does not apply if the girl is physically challenged with a disability of 40 percent or more, is an inmate of a registered Juvenile Justice Home, or is an orphan who has lost both parents.

Explanation

Under Article 110(3) of the Constitution of India, if any question arises whether a Bill is a Money Bill or not, the decision of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is final and cannot be questioned in any court of law, or in either House of Parliament, or by the President. Additionally, under Article 110(4), when a Money Bill is transmitted to the Rajya Sabha and when it is presented to the President for assent, it must be endorsed with the certificate of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha signed by him that it is a Money Bill.

Explanation

Abu Rihan Alberuni, the 11th-century Persian scholar and polymath, referred to Khajuraho in his seminal work, Kitab-ul-Hind (also known as Tahqiq-i-Hind). He travelled to the Indian subcontinent with Mahmud of Ghazni and extensively documented the contemporary geography, culture, and traditions of India. In his accounts, Al-Biruni described Khajuraho as Kajuraha, noting it as the capital of the Jejakabhukti (Jajhouti) region under the Chandela dynasty.

Explanation

Bengal revolutionaries in the early twentieth century drew immense inspiration from the Irish struggle for independence from British colonial rule. Activists in Bengal were profoundly influenced by the 1916 Easter Rising, the Sinn Féin movement, and the guerrilla tactics of the Irish Republican Army. Revolutionary literature, especially Dan Breen’s memoir, My Fight for Irish Freedom, circulated widely and was eagerly read by young Bengali nationalists. The peak of this influence was demonstrated during the 1930 Chittagong Armoury Raid, where the leader Surya Sen and his associates established the Indian Republican Army (Chittagong Branch) in direct imitation of the Irish Republican Army to wage an armed struggle.

Explanation

The Perseverance rover, developed by NASA as part of its Mars 2020 mission, successfully landed in the Jezero Crater on the surface of Mars on February 18, 2021. The primary astrobiological objective of this mission is to seek signs of ancient microbial life, characterize the planet's geology and past climate, and collect and cache Martian rock and soil samples for a potential future return to Earth.

Explanation

Under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2018, the classification criteria of MSMEs was proposed to be shifted from investment in plant and machinery to annual turnover. According to this proposed classification, small enterprises were defined as business units having an annual turnover between Rs 5 crore and Rs 75 crore.

Explanation

Bahadur Shah II, also known as Bahadur Shah Zafar, was the last Mughal emperor who ruled from 1837 to 1857. During the Revolt of 1857, the rebellious sepoys and nationalist forces declared him the symbolic leader and Emperor of Hindustan to unite the uprising against the British East India Company. After the British recaptured Delhi, he was arrested, tried for treason, and subsequently exiled to Rangoon, where he passed away in 1862, bringing an end to the Mughal dynasty.

Explanation

The Sundarban Wetland in India was designated as a Ramsar Site of international importance on January 30, 2019. Spanning an area of approximately 4,23,000 hectares, the Indian Sundarban constitutes over 60 percent of the total mangrove forest area in India and stands as the largest Ramsar site in the country. This unique ecosystem consists of a complex network of tidal waterways, mudflats, and mangrove forests, hosting several globally threatened species such as the Royal Bengal Tiger and the Irrawaddy Dolphin.

Explanation

The Supreme Court of India is designated as the custodian and guardian of the Constitution of India. It holds the ultimate power to interpret the constitutional provisions and possesses the authority of judicial review to declare any law or executive action void if it violates the Constitution. Under Article 32, the Supreme Court protects the fundamental rights of citizens and maintains the supremacy of the Constitution by ensuring that all organs of the state operate within their constitutionally defined boundaries.

Explanation

The Dandi March, also known as the Salt Satyagraha, was an act of nonviolent civil disobedience led by Mahatma Gandhi from March 12 to April 6, 1930. Gandhi marched from Sabarmati Ashram to the coastal village of Dandi to protest the British monopoly on salt. By picking up a handful of salt at Dandi on April 6, 1930, Gandhi technically broke the salt law, which formally inaugurated the Civil Disobedience Movement across India.

Explanation

The Khilafat movement was launched by Indian Muslims to defend the Ottoman Caliphate and protect the sovereignty of Turkey after its defeat in World War I. The Sultan of Turkey was regarded as the Caliph, the spiritual and political leader of Sunni Muslims globally. The harsh terms imposed by the Allied powers through the Treaty of Sèvres threatened the dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire and the reduction of the Caliph's authority, which directly shaped the agenda of the Khilafat movement to preserve the territorial integrity and spiritual status of Turkey.

Explanation

Letters from Burma is a collection of fifty-two essays written by the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Originally published in the Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun between 1995 and 1996, these essays reflect on the cultural, social, and political life in Myanmar (Burma) during her period of house arrest. The book provides a deeply personal and insightful look into the resilience of the Burmese people and their struggle for democracy.

Explanation

Diamond possesses an exceptionally high thermal conductivity, k, because of its strong covalent bonding in a rigid three-dimensional tetrahedral lattice of carbon atoms. This structure allows heat to be transferred very efficiently through lattice vibrations, also known as phonons. On the other hand, diamond has a very low electrical conductivity, δ, making it an excellent electrical insulator. This is because all four valence electrons of each carbon atom are shared in strong, localized covalent bonds, leaving no free or delocalized electrons to act as charge carriers to conduct electricity.

Explanation

The University of Calcutta was established on 24 January 1857. Its foundation was laid following the recommendations of Wood's Despatch of 1854, which proposed a structured educational framework in India, including the establishment of universities in the presidency towns of Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras. The Calcutta University Act of 1857 formally incorporated the university, making it one of the first modern, multidisciplinary, western-style universities in Asia.

Explanation

Abul Kasem Fazlul Huq was popularly known as Sher-i-Bangal, which translates to the Tiger of Bengal. He was a distinguished Bengali statesman, lawyer, and legislator who played a pivotal role in the political landscape of undivided Bengal. In 1936, he founded the Krishak Praja Party to advocate for the rights and welfare of tenant farmers and peasants. He served as the first Prime Minister of undivided Bengal from 1937 to 1943. His lifelong dedication to the upliftment of the peasantry, educational reforms, and rural development earned him this iconic title and enduring respect across the region.

Explanation

Jindhagada Peak, also known as Arma Konda, is the highest mountain peak in the Eastern Ghats. It is situated in the Araku Valley region of Andhra Pradesh and has an elevation of 1690 meters above sea level.

Explanation

The National Register of Citizens (NRC) is an official register and database containing the names and relevant demographic details of all genuine Indian citizens. It is an administrative record rather than a legislative instrument.

The legal framework for preparing and updating the registry is derived from the Citizenship Act, 1955, and the Citizenship Rules, 2003. While bills and acts represent proposed and passed laws within parliament (such as the Citizenship Amendment Act), the NRC itself is simply the resulting list or database of citizens compiled by the government.

Explanation

The Chipko movement, which began in Uttarakhand in 1973, is widely recognized as an ecofeminist or feminist movement because women were its primary mobilizers and leaders. Rural women, including prominent figures like Gaura Devi, Bachni Devi, and Sudesha Devi, formed the backbone of this non-violent resistance. They directly confronted commercial loggers by hugging trees to prevent them from being felled, highlighting the central role of women in resource conservation and linking environmental protection directly to female sustenance and livelihood.

Explanation

The Dahsala system or Ain-i-Dahsala was introduced by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1580 AD. Developed by his finance minister, Raja Todar Mal, this land revenue administration system calculated the average produce of different crops and their average prices over the preceding ten years. One-third of this average decennial produce was determined as the state share, which was then converted into a cash value. The system provided administrative stability, minimized annual fluctuations in revenue estimation, and ensured a predictable income for the empire.

Explanation

NITI Aayog, which stands for National Institution for Transforming India, was established through a resolution of the Union Cabinet on January 1, 2015. It was created to replace the 65-year-old Planning Commission of India. Designed as a premier policy think tank of the Government of India, NITI Aayog provides both directional and policy inputs while fostering cooperative federalism by involving State Governments in the economic policy-making process.

Explanation

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was sentenced to fifty years of imprisonment and transported to the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 1911. During his confinement under extremely rigorous and harsh conditions, Savarkar submitted several clemency and mercy petitions to the British colonial government between 1911 and 1920. In these petitions, he requested his release or transfer to a mainland Indian prison, offering to cooperate with the British administration in exchange for his freedom. He was subsequently moved to the Indian mainland in 1921 and eventually released from prison in 1924 under conditional restrictions.

Explanation

The safety valve theory suggests that the Indian National Congress was founded by Allan Octavian Hume as a safe outlet, or safety valve, for the growing political discontent and resentment among educated Indians against British rule. By providing a constitutional forum for discussing grievances, Hume aimed to prevent a potential violent uprising similar to the Revolt of 1857. This theory argues that the organization was created with the tacit approval of Viceroy Lord Dufferin to help channel nationalistic impulses into peaceful, constitutional methods.

Explanation

Ngangom Dingko Singh was an iconic Indian boxer from Manipur who won the gold medal in the bantamweight (54 kg) category at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games. This was India's first Asian Games boxing gold in 16 years, which inspired a new generation of Indian boxers including Mary Kom.

He had been battling liver cancer since 2017 and passed away on June 10, 2021, at the age of 42. For his outstanding achievements and contribution to Indian sports, he was conferred the Arjuna Award in 1998 and the Padma Shri in 2013.

Explanation

The Khutba is the formal public sermon delivered in mosques during congregational Friday prayers and on the occasion of the two Eid festivals. In medieval India, the reading of the Khutba in the name of the reigning monarch was one of the most significant declarations of political sovereignty, authority, and legitimacy. Along with the striking of coins in the ruler's name, having one's name recited during the Friday sermon established the ruler's supreme political leadership over the territory.

Explanation

The Siachen Glacier, located in the eastern Karakoram Range in the Himalayas, is the largest glacier in India. Spanning approximately 76 kilometers in length, it is also the second-longest glacier in the world's non-polar regions. The glacier lies just northeast of the point NJ9842 where the Line of Control between India and Pakistan ends, and it is situated under Indian administration. The meltwater from the Siachen Glacier feeds the Nubra River, a major tributary of the Shyok River, which eventually flows into the Indus River. Due to its strategic location and high altitude, it is also recognized as the highest battlefield on Earth.

Explanation

The Purulia district of West Bengal contains notable deposits of mica, which are found associated with pegmatite veins traversing the Chhotanagpur Gneissic Complex. This region produces both muscovite, also known as ruby mica, and biotite. The mica-bearing pegmatites are primarily concentrated in the western and south-western parts of the district, making it one of the key areas for mica resources in the state.

Explanation

Ramcharitmanas is an epic masterpiece composed by the sixteenth-century saint-poet Goswami Tulsidas. Written in the Awadhi dialect of Hindi, this text retells the story of the Sanskrit Ramayana, playing a crucial role in bringing the legend of Rama to the common people during the Bhakti movement.

Explanation

When cells are connected in series, the total EMF is the algebraic sum of their individual EMFs. If a cell is wrongly connected (in reverse), its EMF opposes the EMF of the correctly connected cells.

If there are N total cells, each of EMF E, and n of them are wrongly connected, the remaining N - n cells are connected correctly. The net EMF of the battery is given by the relation:

Eₙₑₜ = (N - n)E - nE = (N - 2n)E

Substituting the given values N = 10, n = 2, and E = 1 V into the formula:

Eₙₑₜ = (10 - 2 × 2) × 1 = 6 V

Each wrongly connected cell not only fails to contribute to the forward voltage but also cancels out the EMF of one correctly connected cell, reducing the total EMF by 2nE.

Explanation

The Sankosh River is a major transboundary river that originates in the high Himalayas of Bhutan, where it is formed by the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. As it flows southward and enters India, it defines the interstate boundary between the Alipurduar district of West Bengal and the Kokrajhar district of Assam. After serving as this natural boundary between West Bengal and Assam for a considerable stretch, the river flows into Assam and finally empties into the Brahmaputra River.

Explanation

Shams ud-Din Iltutmish introduced the Iqta system to organize the administration and revenue collection of the newly established Delhi Sultanate. Under this system, the territories of the empire were divided into tracts of land called Iqtas, which were assigned to nobles and military commanders in lieu of cash salaries. These assignees, known as Iqtadars or Muqtis, collected land revenue from their respective regions, maintained law and order, and provided military support to the Sultan during times of war. This system proved crucial in consolidating the administrative machinery and centralizing the authority of the early Delhi Sultanate.

Explanation

Dinabandhu Mitra wrote the Bengali masterpiece Nil Darpan (The Indigo Mirror) in 1858–1859, and it was published in Dhaka in 1860. The play vividly depicted the brutal exploitation, torture, and economic coercion faced by the native peasantry at the hands of British indigo planters in Bengal. By portraying the harsh realities of the Indigo Revolt of 1859, the drama succeeded in igniting widespread public sympathy and political activism, eventually forcing the colonial administration to establish the Indigo Commission of 1860 to investigate the atrocities.

Explanation

Bharati is the third scientific research station established by India in Antarctica, which was commissioned on March 18, 2012. Located in the Larsemann Hills region of East Antarctica, it is designed to facilitate year-round scientific research. The primary mandate of the Bharati station includes oceanographic studies, glaciology, atmospheric science, and researching the geological history of the Indian subcontinent and the phenomenon of continental breakup. It operates alongside Maitri (established in 1989), while India's first station, Dakshin Gangotri (established in 1983), was decommissioned in 1990.

Explanation

Pascal's law states that any pressure applied to an incompressible fluid confined within a closed system is transmitted equally and undiminished in all directions throughout the fluid.

A hydraulic press utilizes this principle to multiply force. It consists of two pistons of unequal cross-sectional areas, A₁ and A₂, connected by a fluid-filled chamber. When a force F₁ is applied to the smaller piston, it creates a pressure:

P = (F₁)/(A₁)

This pressure is transmitted equally through the liquid to the larger piston, producing an upward force F₂:

F₂ = P × A₂ = F₁ × (A₂)/(A₁)

Since the area A₂ of the larger piston is much greater than the area A₁ of the smaller piston, the output force F₂ is multiplied proportionally, allowing heavy loads to be lifted or compressed with relatively small input force.

Explanation

The swing behaves as a simple pendulum, whose time period of oscillation T is given by the formula:

T = 2π √((L)/(g))

Here, L is the effective length of the pendulum, which is the distance from the pivot point of suspension to the center of gravity of the swinging body, and g is the acceleration due to gravity.

When the person on the swing stands up, their center of gravity shifts upwards, closer to the pivot point. This upward movement reduces the effective length L of the system. Since the time period T is directly proportional to the square root of the effective length L, a decrease in L directly results in a decrease in the time period of the swing.

Explanation

Bramhabandhab Upadhyay was a prominent theologian, journalist, and freedom fighter who founded and edited the nationalist Bengali daily newspaper Sandhya. Established in November 1904, Sandhya became a powerful mouthpiece for the anti-partition and Swadeshi movements in Bengal, known for its fiery editorial style and sharp critique of British colonial administration. Through its columns, Upadhyay popularized the concept of complete independence (Swaraj) and urged the masses to boycott foreign goods. In September 1907, he was arrested by the British authorities on charges of sedition for publishing inflammatory articles in Sandhya. He famously refused to defend himself in the colonial court, stating that he did not recognize the authority of an alien government, and passed away in October 1907 before the trial concluded.

Explanation

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is the largest information technology company in India by market capitalization, revenue, and employee strength. It consistently ranks as the leading Indian IT services and consulting provider, having established a massive global presence and strong financial metrics, making it the premier firm in the Indian IT sector.

Explanation

Devprayag is the sacred site in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers merge. This confluence marks the official beginning of the Ganga River, as the two headstreams combine and flow downstream under the name Ganga. It is highly revered as one of the Panch Prayag (five holy confluences) of the Alaknanda River.

Explanation

Ikhtiyar al-Din Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji was a military general of the Ghurid dynasty who led the conquest of Bihar and Bengal. In 1204 CE, during the early thirteenth century, he launched a sudden and highly successful surprise attack on Nabadwip, the capital of Bengal under King Lakshmana Sena of the Sena dynasty. His swift campaign led to the collapse of the Sena rule in western Bengal and established the first Muslim administration in the region, with its headquarters at Lakhnauti.

Explanation

Ranajit Guha spearheaded the Subaltern School of historiography, launching the Subaltern Studies group in 1982 with the publication of the first volume of Subaltern Studies: Writings on South Asian History and Society. His pioneering work shifted the focus of South Asian historical research toward history from below, emphasizing the role of the subaltern classes, peasants, and marginalized groups in shaping history, rather than focusing solely on elites and colonial administrators.

Explanation

Ibn Batuta, the famous Moroccan traveler and explorer, visited India during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Bin Tughlaq in the 14th century. He reached the court of the Sultan in Delhi in 1333 AD, having traveled through Central Asia. Impressed by his scholarly credentials and knowledge of Islamic law, Muhammad Bin Tughlaq appointed him as the Qazi (judge) of Delhi, a position he held for several years. Ibn Batuta documented his extensive travels and experiences in India and other regions in his well-known travelogue written in Arabic, titled Rihla.

Explanation

For the Republic Day celebrations in 2021, India did not have any foreign leader as the chief guest. Initially, United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson was invited and had accepted the invitation. However, his visit was cancelled due to a surge in COVID-19 cases in the UK. Consequently, India decided not to have any foreign head of state or government as the chief guest for the 2021 Republic Day parade, making it the first time in over five decades (since 1966) that the celebration took place without a foreign dignitary as the chief guest.

Explanation

The Munda uprising (1899–1900), led by Birsa Munda in the region south of Ranchi (Chotanagpur plateau), is historically known as the 'Ulgulan', which translates to 'The Great Tumult' or 'Great Rebellion'.

The movement was organized against the destruction of the traditional joint landholding system (Khuntkatti system) by the British colonial administration, non-tribal landlords, and moneylenders (dikus). Birsa Munda mobilized the Munda tribe to resist this exploitation, establish tribal sovereignty, and claim their land rights. The intensity of this rebellion eventually forced the colonial government to pass the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act in 1908 to protect tribal land from alienation.

Explanation

Mahatma Gandhi was profoundly influenced by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy, particularly by his book The Kingdom of God is Within You. This work deeply impacted Gandhi's ideas on non-violence, love, and pacifism, helping to shape his philosophy of Ahimsa and Satyagraha. Gandhi even established a cooperative colony called Tolstoy Farm near Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1910, to put these principles of communal living and self-reliance into practice.

Explanation

Under Article 263 of the Constitution of India, the President is empowered to establish the Inter-State Council if at any time it appears that the public interest would be served by its creation. The President defines the nature of the duties to be performed by the Council, as well as its organization and procedure. The Council was first set up by a Presidential Order in 1990 on the recommendation of the Sarkaria Commission to support decentralization, coordinate policy, and resolve common disputes between the Union and the States.

Explanation

Matangini Hazra, affectionately known as Gandhi Buri, was a devout follower of Mahatma Gandhi who strictly adhered to the principles of non-violence and peaceful satyagraha. She actively participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement, the Salt Satyagraha, and the Quit India Movement. In September 1942, during the Quit India Movement, she led a peaceful procession of volunteers aiming to take over the Tamluk police station in Midnapore. Even after being shot multiple times by the British Indian police, she kept the tricolour flying high and chanted Vande Mataram until her death, embodying the spirit of non-violent resistance rather than militant or armed revolution.

Explanation

Rainfall variability in India is inversely proportional to the average amount of rainfall received. Regions that receive low and erratic rainfall exhibit a higher coefficient of variability. Jodhpur is located in the arid tract of western Rajasthan, which receives very sparse monsoon precipitation. As a result of this low rainfall regime, Jodhpur experiences highly fluctuating and pronounced rainfall variability during the monsoon month of August.

Explanation

Cyclone Hudhud was a category 4 equivalent very severe cyclonic storm that struck the eastern coast of India in October 2014. The cyclone made landfall near the major city of Visakhapatnam on the Andhra coast, causing massive infrastructural damage, power outages, and economic loss across the coastal districts of the state, including Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, and Vizianagaram.

Explanation

Under Article 324 of the Constitution of India, the President of India has the authority to appoint the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners. The Constitution specifies that the Election Commission shall consist of the Chief Election Commissioner and such number of other Election Commissioners, if any, as the President may from time to time fix, making the President the authority responsible for constituting the Commission.

Explanation

Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide (CO₂). It is referred to as dry ice because it undergoes sublimation at atmospheric pressure, transitioning directly from a solid state to a gaseous state at -78.5°C without melting into a liquid. This unique property allows it to provide effective cooling and refrigeration without leaving any moisture or liquid residue behind.

Explanation

The Muppandal Wind Farm, located in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, is the largest operational onshore wind farm in India. Developed by the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency, it has an installed capacity of 1,500 MW, making it one of the largest wind farms in the world. The site benefits from its strategic geographical location near the mountain passes of the Western Ghats, which experience high-velocity winds throughout the year.

Explanation

The freezing chest is kept at the top of a refrigerator to facilitate the formation of convection currents. Cold air is denser and heavier than warm air. When the air near the freezing chest cools, it becomes denser and sinks to the bottom of the refrigerator. Simultaneously, the warmer, less dense air from the lower section rises to the top to take its place. This continuous circulation of air creates convection currents that ensure uniform and efficient cooling throughout the entire inner chamber.

Explanation

The Government of India established the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) at Falta in 1984. Located in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, approximately 55 km from Kolkata along the Hooghly River, it was designed to promote export-oriented industries by offering various fiscal incentives and simplified procedural clearances. Subsequently, under the Special Economic Zones Policy of the Government of India, the Falta EPZ was converted into a Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

Explanation

Under Section 22 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, the Reserve Bank of India has the sole authority to issue and manage banknotes in India. While the Government of India is responsible for minting coins and issuing one-rupee notes, the design, printing, and distribution of all other currency notes are regulated and handled under the direct supervision of the Reserve Bank of India through its printing presses.

Explanation

Lord Irwin served as the Viceroy and Governor-General of India from 1926 to 1931. Mahatma Gandhi initiated the Civil Disobedience Movement with the historic Dandi March from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi between March 12 and April 6, 1930, to protest against the salt tax. Since this landmark event occurred in 1930, it fell directly within the tenure of Lord Irwin, who later negotiated the Gandhi-Irwin Pact in March 1931 to suspend the movement.

Explanation

Article 1 of the Constitution of India explicitly declares India, that is Bharat, as a Union of States. This phrasing was chosen by the drafting committee, as explained by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, to signify two key principles. First, the Indian union is not the result of an agreement or compact among the constituent states, unlike the American federation. Second, the states do not have any right to secede from the federation. The country is an integral whole, divided into different states solely for the convenience of administration.

Explanation

The Partition of Bengal, which was implemented in 1905, was annulled in 1911 by Lord Hardinge during the Delhi Durbar. This reversal was a response to the massive protests, boycott campaigns, and the Swadeshi movement that erupted against the division. Along with the annulment, the British government also announced the transfer of the capital of British India from Calcutta to Delhi to appease public sentiment and maintain administrative control.

Explanation

The Public Accounts Committee consists of 22 members, with 15 members from the Lok Sabha and 7 members from the Rajya Sabha. These members are elected annually from amongst the members of both Houses of Parliament according to the principle of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. This system ensures that all parties and groups in Parliament get due representation on the committee.

Explanation

Dadabhai Naoroji is celebrated as the Grand Old Man of India for his pioneering role in the Indian national movement. He was a distinguished intellectual, educator, and political leader who co-founded the Indian National Congress and served as its President during three pivotal sessions in 1886, 1893, and 1906. He formulated the Drain of Wealth theory in his landmark book, Poverty and Un-British Rule in India, which systematically exposed the economic exploitation of India under British rule. Additionally, he made history as the first Indian to be elected to the British House of Commons, representing Finsbury Central as a Liberal Party member from 1892 to 1895.

Explanation

The Survey of India (SOI), established in 1767, is the national survey and mapping organization of the country, functioning under the Department of Science and Technology. As the oldest scientific department of the Government of India, it holds the sole mandate for geodetic control, executing national surveys, and publishing the official topographical maps of India at various scales.

Explanation

Inflation is defined as a sustained and continuous increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over a period of time. When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services, reflecting a reduction in the purchasing power of money. A single, one-time increase in prices is not considered inflation; instead, it must be a persistent and ongoing upward movement in prices across the economy.

Explanation

When a motor boat sails on water, it disturbs both the surface and the deeper layers of water. On the surface, the water molecules move in elliptical trajectories, having both vertical and horizontal components of motion. This surface disturbance forms transverse waves, where the displacement of the medium is perpendicular to the wave propagation. Beneath the surface, the motion of the boat's hull and propeller creates pressure variations, leading to compression and rarefaction. These pressure variations propagate as longitudinal waves, where the water particles vibrate parallel to the direction of wave travel.

Explanation

The Lahore Resolution, commonly known as the Pakistan Resolution, was a formal political statement adopted by the All-India Muslim League during its annual session held in Lahore. On 23 March 1940, A. K. Fazlul Huq, the Prime Minister of Bengal, presented this historic resolution, which called for the grouping of geographically contiguous units into independent states for Muslims in the northwestern and eastern zones of British India. This event marked a crucial turning point in the modern history of South Asia, as it formalized the demand for a separate sovereign nation.

Explanation

Titumir, a prominent peasant leader who led the Narkelberia Uprising in Bengal against British colonial rule and oppressive local zamindars, was born as Syed Mir Nasar Ali in 1782. He was a follower of Syed Ahmed Barelvi and became a key figure in the Wahabi movement in Bengal, where he constructed the famous bamboo fort (Bansher Kella) to defend his followers against British military forces in 1831.

Explanation

The official inauguration of New Delhi as the capital of India took place on February 13, 1931, under the tenure of Viceroy Lord Irwin. While King George V had announced the transfer of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi during the Delhi Durbar in December 1911, the planning and construction of the new administrative city spanned nearly two decades. Designed by British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker, the completed capital city was formally inaugurated in 1931 by Lord Irwin, who was serving as the Viceroy of India from 1926 to 1931.

Explanation

The Sakabda, also known as the Shaka era, was founded by the Kushan emperor Kanishka I to mark his accession to the throne in 78 A.D. This historical calendar era serves as the basis for the Indian national calendar, which was formally adopted by the Government of India in 1957.

Explanation

The Sharavati Hydroelectric Project is located in the Shivamogga district of Karnataka. It is built on the Sharavati River, which flows through the Western Ghats of Karnataka and is renowned for creating the famous Jog Falls. The project utilizes the water stored in the Linganamakki Dam, constructed across the river, to generate power through the Sharavati Generating Station and the Mahatma Gandhi Hydroelectric Project, serving as a major source of electricity for the state.

Explanation

Rohit Sharma was conferred with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 2020 for his outstanding achievements and consistent performance in international cricket. He became the fourth Indian cricketer to receive India's highest sporting honor. His exceptional performance during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, where he scored a record-breaking five centuries and emerged as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 648 runs, was a major factor behind this recognition. Additionally, his stellar performances across all formats, including registering multiple double centuries in One Day Internationals and consistent leadership, led to his selection for this prestigious award.

Explanation

The phrase "His Superfluous Highness" was famously used to describe the office of the Vice-President of India, highlighting its largely ceremonial nature. This term is not typically associated with the Governor, President, or Speaker. Therefore, the Vice-President is the correct answer.

Explanation

The Allahabad Pillar Inscription, also known as the Prayag Prashasti, was composed by Harisena, who served as the court poet and minister of war and peace (Sandhivigrahika) under the Gupta Emperor Samudragupta. Written in elegant classical Sanskrit prose and verse (Champu kavya style) using the Gupta Brahmi script, this inscription provides a detailed panegyric account of Samudragupta's extensive military conquests, political achievements, genealogy, and personal qualities.

Explanation

Solder is a fusible metal alloy with a low melting point used to join together metal workpieces. The most common traditional soft solder is an alloy of tin (Sn) and lead (Pb), typically in a ratio such as 60 percent tin and 40 percent lead. The combination of tin and lead provides a low melting temperature, excellent wetting properties, and high mechanical strength, making it highly effective for soldering electronic components and electrical connections.

Explanation

According to the Census of India 2011, Puducherry recorded the highest sex ratio among all the Union Territories of India, with 1037 females per 1000 males. It is the only Union Territory where the number of females exceeds the number of males, reflecting highly favorable demographic and social development indicators.

Explanation

According to the Economic Survey and trade statistics of India, petroleum crudes consistently top the list of imported commodities by value. As a country heavily dependent on external energy sources, India imports more than eighty percent of its crude oil requirements to meet its domestic demand and refinery needs, making petroleum crude the single largest import item in terms of total monetary outflow.

Explanation

The Gatidhara Scheme was launched by the Transport Department of the Government of West Bengal to generate self-employment for registered unemployed youth in the transport sector. Under this scheme, the state government provides financial assistance in the form of a subsidy amounting to 30% of the ex-showroom price or project cost of a commercial vehicle, subject to a maximum limit of Rs. 1,00,000. This subsidy enables beneficiaries to purchase commercial vehicles such as small or medium trucks, auto-rickshaws, taxis, and buses.

Explanation

The First Industrial Policy Resolution of India was announced on April 6, 1948, by the then Union Industry Minister, Syama Prasad Mookerjee. This landmark policy laid down the foundation of a mixed economy in independent India, clearly demarcating the roles of the public and private sectors in industrial development. It classified industries into four distinct categories to guide state intervention and promote rapid industrial growth while ensuring equitable distribution of resources.

Explanation

A box-type solar cooker utilizes a glass cover sheet to trap solar energy, which operates on the greenhouse effect. The glass cover allows short-wavelength solar radiation from the sun to enter the cooker box. The blackened interior of the cooker absorbs this radiation and heats up. This heat is then emitted back as long-wavelength infrared radiation. Since glass is opaque to long-wavelength infrared radiation, the heat is trapped inside the cooker, causing the internal temperature to rise sufficiently to cook the food. This mechanism of trapping thermal energy is identical to the greenhouse effect.

Explanation

The Government of India enacted the Protection of Human Rights Act in 1993. This landmark legislation paved the way for the constitution of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) at the federal level, State Human Rights Commissions (SHRC) in various states, and Human Rights Courts at the district level to ensure the robust protection, promotion, and enforcement of human rights across the nation.

Explanation

The term Mansab is derived from an Arabic word that translates to a rank, position, or office. It formed the basis of the Mansabdari system, a unique administrative and military ranking mechanism formalized by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Under this system, every civil and military officer of the state was assigned a specific Mansab, which determined their official status in the imperial court hierarchy, their salary, and their military obligations, such as the number of cavalrymen they were required to maintain.

Explanation

Under Article 124(2) of the Constitution of India, a Judge of the Supreme Court holds office until they attain the age of 65 years. Any question regarding the age of a judge of the Supreme Court is determined by such authority and in such manner as Parliament may by law provide.

Explanation

The Kurnool-Cuddapah Canal, commonly known as the K.C. Canal, originates from the Sunkesula Barrage built across the Tungabhadra River near Kurnool. Constructed between 1863 and 1870 by the Madras Irrigation and Canal Company, this canal system was designed to provide irrigation and navigation facilities to the drought-prone Kurnool and Kadapa districts of Andhra Pradesh. The Tungabhadra River, which is a major tributary of the Krishna River, serves as the direct source of water for this historic canal.

Explanation

The Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI), currently known as the ICAR-National Rice Research Institute (NRRI), was established in April 1946 at Cuttack, Odisha. It was set up to carry out basic and applied research on all aspects of rice cultivation, aiming to ensure food security through sustainable rice production. The institute was later brought under the administrative control of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in 1966.

Explanation

To convert the decimal number 4.625 into its binary equivalent, the number is split into its integer and fractional components.

For the integer portion, 4 is converted to binary by expressing it as a power of 2. Since 4 = 1 × 2² + 0 × 2¹ + 0 × 2⁰, its binary representation is 100.

For the fractional portion, 0.625 is multiplied by 2 successively, keeping track of the integer parts of the products: 0.625 × 2 = 1.25, which gives an integer part of 1. 0.25 × 2 = 0.5, which gives an integer part of 0. 0.5 × 2 = 1.0, which gives an integer part of 1.

Reading the integer parts from top to bottom gives the fractional binary representation as .101.

Combining the integer and fractional parts yields the binary equivalent 100.101.

Explanation

Rashbihari Bose, a prominent Indian revolutionary, played a pivotal role in the establishment and leadership of the Indian Independence League. After escaping to Japan in 1915, he worked extensively to mobilize international support for India's struggle against British colonial rule. In 1942, during historical conferences held in Tokyo and Bangkok, the Indian Independence League was formally structured to unite Indian expatriates living in Southeast Asia under a single banner, and Rashbihari Bose was elected as its president. Under his leadership, the league collaborated with Japanese authorities and laid the groundwork for the Indian National Army. In 1943, he handed over the leadership of both the Indian Independence League and the Indian National Army to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

Explanation

According to Article 54 of the Constitution of India, the President of India is elected indirectly by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States, including the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry. Nominated members of either Parliament or State Assemblies are not eligible to vote in this election.

Explanation

Mahatma Gandhi adopted the charkha (spinning wheel) as the primary symbol of self-reliance and economic independence during the Indian freedom struggle. It represented the Swadeshi movement, which encouraged Indians to spin their own khadi cloth to boycott British-manufactured textiles, thereby directly challenging the economic foundation of colonial rule. The charkha became a powerful tool for mass mobilization, representing the dignity of physical labor, self-sufficiency, and peaceful, non-violent resistance.

Explanation

The power of an electrical heater connected to a constant voltage source V is given by the formula P = (V²)/(R), where R is the resistance of the heater filament. The resistance of a conductor is directly proportional to its length L according to the relation R = ρ (L)/(A), where ρ is the resistivity and A is the cross-sectional area. This means the power of the heater is inversely proportional to the length of its filament, or P ∝ (1)/(L).

If the length of the filament is reduced by 10%, the new length L' becomes 0.9 L, and the new resistance R' becomes 0.9 R.

The new power P' is calculated as: P' = (V²)/(R') = (V²)/(0.9 R) = (P)/(0.9) ≈ 1.111 P

The percentage increase in power is: (P' - P)/(P) × 100 = (1.111 P - P)/(P) × 100 ≈ 11.11%

This shows that the power of the heater will increase by about 11%.

Explanation

The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology is one of the most prestigious multidisciplinary science awards in India. It is presented annually by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research to recognize outstanding Indian research, both applied and fundamental, in various branches of science and technology. The award is named after the founder Director of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, and has been awarded since 1958 to researchers under the age of 45.

Explanation

During the 2020-2021 farmers' protests, the term 'toolkit' became prominent in public discourse. In the context of modern social movements and digital activism, a toolkit is a shared digital document, often hosted on collaborative platforms like Google Docs. It contains a structured set of guidelines, social media hashtags, pre-drafted tweets, campaign information, and action plans. It serves as a modern, digital equivalent of traditional pamphlets and flyers, allowing organizers to efficiently coordinate campaigns, mobilize protesters, and amplify their message across global networks.

Explanation

A study jointly conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research and the National Institute of Virology in 2021 discovered the presence of antibodies against the Nipah virus, as well as Nipah virus RNA, in some bat species. The researchers trapped bats of the species Rousettus leschenaultii and Pipistrellus pipistrellus from a cave in Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra, and detected anti-Nipah virus IgG antibodies in their blood samples. This discovery highlighted the presence of the zoonotic pathogen in regions of India outside of the previously known outbreak areas.

Explanation

We can determine the water level by considering the total mass of the system. Let the cross-sectional area of the tank be A and the density of water be ρ_w. The pressure at the bottom of the tank is given by P = ρ_w g H, where H is the height of the water level. This hydrostatic pressure is also equal to the total weight of the contents inside the tank (water, boat, and passengers) divided by the area of the bottom, which gives P = Mₜₒₜₐₗ g{A}.

Equating the two expressions for pressure yields:

H = Mₜₒₜₐₗ{ρ_w A}

Since the passengers drink the water directly from the tank and remain inside the boat, no mass enters or leaves the tank. The total mass Mₜₒₜₐₗ remains strictly constant. Consequently, the water level H remains the same.

Explanation

The Punarbhava and Atrai rivers are distributaries of the Teesta River. The Teesta River originates from the Pahunri glacier in Sikkim and flows through West Bengal before entering Bangladesh. Historically, the Teesta river system divided into multiple channels and distributaries in the North Bengal plains, with the Karatoya, Atrai, and Punarbhava serving as major distributaries. Although the Teesta shifted its main course eastward to join the Brahmaputra following a major flood in 1787, these channels remain historically and hydrologically linked to the Teesta basin.

Explanation

Anil Seal is a prominent historian who belongs to the Cambridge School of historiography rather than the Aligarh School. He is widely recognized as one of the founders of the Cambridge School, which analyzes modern Indian politics and the rise of nationalism through the lens of local elite collaboration, competition, and factional self-interest under British colonial rule. His seminal work, The Emergence of Indian Nationalism, laid the foundation for this school of thought, setting his historiographical approach apart from that of the Aligarh School.

Explanation

The time period of a simple pendulum is given by the formula:

T = 2 π √((l)/(g))

where l is the length of the pendulum and g is the acceleration due to gravity.

The acceleration due to gravity on the Moon is one-sixth of that on the Earth, which is represented as:

gₘₒₒₙ = gₑₐᵣₜₕ{6}

Substituting this value into the formula for the time period on the Moon:

Tₘₒₒₙ = 2 π √((l)/(gₑₐᵣₜₕ₎₎_₆ = √6 (2 π √((l)/(gₑₐᵣₜₕ₎₎) = √6 Tₑₐᵣₜₕ

Since the time period of the pendulum on the Moon is √6 times its time period on the Earth, each oscillation takes longer to complete. This causes the pendulum clock to tick less frequently, meaning it runs √6 times slower.

Explanation

Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which is a fundamental right under Part III, guarantees that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law. This crucial article ensures the Right to Life and Personal Liberty to both citizens and non-citizens. Over the decades, the Supreme Court of India has vastly expanded the scope of Article 21 to encompass various dimensions of a dignified life, including the right to clean environment, the right to privacy, the right to free education up to fourteen years of age, and the right to livelihood.

Explanation

Dadabhai Naoroji, popularly known as the Grand Old Man of India, authored the landmark book Poverty and Un-British Rule in India, which was published in 1901. In this work, he formulated and propounded the famous Drain of Wealth theory. He meticulously demonstrated how British policies systematically siphoned off India's wealth and resources to Britain, leading to severe impoverishment of the Indian population. He was also the first to attempt to calculate the national income of India.

Explanation

Between 2011 and 2021, West Bengal significantly expanded its public medical education infrastructure. Under the state government, eight new government medical colleges were established and made functional during this ten-year period.

These eight functional state government medical colleges are College of Medicine and Sagore Dutta Hospital (2011), Malda Medical College and Hospital (2011), Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital (2012), Coochbehar Government Medical College and Hospital (2019), Diamond Harbour Government Medical College and Hospital (2019), Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital (2019), Raiganj Government Medical College and Hospital (2019), and Deben Mahata Government Medical College and Hospital in Purulia (2020).

Central government institutions like AIIMS Kalyani and ESIC Medical College at Joka are excluded from this state-level count.

Explanation

The Santhal rebellion, also known as the Santhal Hool, occurred in 1855-1856 in the Santhal Pargana region. It was led by the brothers Sidhu Murmu and Kanhu Murmu, along with their siblings Chand and Bhairav. The rebellion was a fierce tribal uprising against the exploitative practices of the British East India Company, local zamindars, and moneylenders. Sidhu and Kanhu mobilized thousands of Santhals to challenge the colonial authority and reclaim their traditional forest and land rights, establishing themselves as iconic figures of tribal resistance in Indian history.

Explanation

When an onion is chopped, its cell walls rupture, bringing together enzymes called alliinases and sulfur-containing amino acid sulfoxides. This reaction produces sulfenic acids, which are then converted by another enzyme called lachrymatory factor synthase into syn-propanethial-S-oxide. This volatile sulfur-containing compound easily disperses into the air. When it comes into contact with the moisture in the eyes, it stimulates the sensory nerves and triggers the lachrymatory glands to produce tears as a protective reflex to wash away the irritant.

Explanation

The Pir Panjal Range is located in the Lesser Himalayas and forms the southernmost range among those listed. Moving northwards, the Zaskar Range is situated north of the Great Himalayas. Further north lies the Ladakh Range, which runs parallel to the Zaskar Range. The northernmost of these ranges is the Karakoram Range, which forms the frontier between India, Pakistan, and China. This establishes the sequential arrangement from south to north as Pir Panjal, Zaskar, Ladakh, and Karakoram.

Explanation

The spring constant k of a spring is inversely proportional to its natural length L, which is represented by the relation k · L = constant.

When a spring of length L and spring constant k is cut into two equal halves, the length of each individual piece becomes L' = (L)/(2).

Letting k' be the spring constant of each half, the relation holds as:

k' · L' = k · L

Substituting L' = (L)/(2) into the equation:

k' · ((L)/(2)) = k · L

k' = 2k

Explanation

Sister Nivedita, an Irish disciple of Swami Vivekananda, designed the first version of the Indian National Flag in 1904. This flag, also known as the Vajra Flag, was conceptualized with two main colors: red, which signified the struggle for freedom, and yellow, which symbolized victory.

At the center of the flag was the symbol of the Vajra, the thunderbolt of Lord Indra, representing strength, honor, and self-sacrifice. Beside the Vajra was a white lotus representing purity. The words Bonde Matoram were inscribed on it in Bengali script. This design was subsequently exhibited at the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress in 1906, marking one of the earliest milestones in the evolution of the national flag.

Explanation

Mukutmanipur Dam, also known as the Kangsabati Kumari Dam, is built across the Kangsabati River near its confluence with the Kumari River in the Bankura district of West Bengal. Commissioned in the 1950s as part of the Kangsabati Project, this earthen dam provides crucial irrigation water to agricultural lands in Bankura, Purulia, and Paschim Medinipur districts. It is recognized as one of the largest earthen dams in India.

Explanation

Let the total distance covered by the vehicle be 2d. The first half of the distance, d, is covered with a uniform speed v₁, so the time taken is t₁ = (d)/(v₁). The second half of the distance, d, is covered with a uniform speed v₂, so the time taken is t₂ = (d)/(v₂).

The total time taken for the entire journey is the sum of t₁ and t₂: T = (d)/(v₁) + (d)/(v₂) = d ( (v₁ + v₂)/(v₁ v₂) )

The average speed of the vehicle is the total distance divided by the total time taken: Average Speed = (2d)/(T) = (2d)/(d ( v₁ + v₂){v₁ v₂ )} = (2 v₁ v₂)/(v₁ + v₂)

Explanation

The Swasthya Sathi Scheme is a flagship health insurance initiative introduced by the Government of West Bengal to provide comprehensive health coverage for secondary and tertiary care. Under this scheme, eligible families receive cashless treatment benefits of up to Rs 5 lakh per annum. The entire insurance premium is funded by the State Government, which means the state bears 100% of the premium cost, requiring zero contribution from the beneficiaries.

Explanation

The Namami Gange Programme is an Integrated Conservation Mission approved as a flagship program by the Union Government of India in June 2014. It was established with a budget outlay of twenty thousand crore rupees to achieve the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution, and the conservation and rejuvenation of the National River Ganga. The implementation of this program is managed by the National Mission for Clean Ganga, which functions as the implementation arm of the National Ganga Council.

Explanation

Novak Djokovic won the French Open men's singles title in 2021 by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in a five-set final with a score of 6–7, 2–6, 6–3, 6–2, 6–4. With this victory, he secured his 19th Grand Slam singles title and became the first male player in the Open Era to win all four Grand Slam tournaments at least twice.

Explanation

The average diameter of the Earth is approximately 12,742 km, whereas the average diameter of the Moon is approximately 3,474 km. Calculating the ratio of the Moon's diameter to the Earth's diameter yields:

(3474 km)/(12742 km) ≈ 0.272

This ratio simplifies to approximately 1 : 3.67, which is closest to the ratio of 1 : 4.

Explanation

The Godavari is the largest and longest river system in peninsular India, flowing for about 1465 kilometers. Due to its immense length, extensive river basin, and spiritual significance in the southern region, which closely mirrors that of the Ganges in northern India, it is traditionally referred to as the Dakshina Ganga. It originates from the Trimbakeshwar hills near Nashik in Maharashtra and drains a vast portion of the Deccan Plateau before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.

Explanation

The Carlyle Circular was a repressive decree issued on October 10, 1905, by R. W. Carlyle, the officiating Chief Secretary of Bengal, during the height of the Swadeshi and Boycott movements against the Partition of Bengal. The circular aimed to prevent the student community from participating in nationalist protests, political rallies, and the boycotting or picketing of foreign goods. It threatened educational institutions with the withdrawal of government grants, scholarships, and university affiliations if they failed to prevent their students from engaging in political activities or chanting patriotic slogans like Vande Mataram. This led to strong resistance, including the establishment of the Anti-Circular Society to support penalized students and promote national education.

Explanation

The relation between momentum p and kinetic energy K for a body of mass m is given by the formula:

p = √(2mK)

Given that both the heavy body and the light body have equal kinetic energy, the term K is constant. Therefore, the momentum of the body is directly proportional to the square root of its mass:

p ∝ √m

Since the heavy body has a larger mass, it must have a greater momentum.

Explanation

A jiffy is a unit of time representing an extremely short interval. In physics, a jiffy is defined as the time it takes light to travel a distance of one centimeter in a vacuum, which is approximately 3.3356 × 10⁻¹¹ seconds. In computer science, a jiffy refers to the duration of one tick of the system clock, typically representing 1 to 10 milliseconds. Because it measures duration, it is not a unit of distance.

Explanation

The 2018 Hindi biographical drama film Pad Man is based on the life of Arunachalam Muruganantham, a social entrepreneur and activist from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. He invented a low-cost sanitary pad-making machine and successfully innovated grassroots mechanisms for providing inexpensive sanitary pads to rural women. His journey of overcoming social stigmas and taboos surrounding menstrual hygiene in India served as the central inspiration for the movie, which was adapted from the short story The Sanitary Man of Sacred Land in Twinkle Khanna's book The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad.

Explanation

Alluri Sitha Rama Raju was the legendary leader of the Rampa Rebellion, also known as the Manyam Rebellion, which took place in the Godavari agency area of the Madras Presidency between 1922 and 1924. He mobilized the tribal people of the region to protest against the oppressive Madras Forest Act of 1882, which severely restricted their traditional Podu cultivation and free movement in the forest. Adopting guerrilla warfare tactics, he led several successful raids on police stations to seize weapons. He was eventually captured and executed by the British in May 1924, earning him the title Manyam Veerudu or Hero of the Jungle.

Explanation

Article 21 of the Constitution of India guarantees the protection of life and personal liberty as a fundamental right. It declares that no person shall be deprived of their life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law. This vital right is available to both citizens and non-citizens. Through various landmark judgments, the judiciary has broadly interpreted the scope of Article 21 to include several essential aspects of a dignified life, such as the right to privacy, the right to a clean environment, the right to free legal aid, the right to livelihood, and the right to speedy trial.

Explanation

A dilatometer is a scientific instrument designed to measure the changes in volume or dimensions (such as linear expansion or contraction) of a material. These dimensional changes are typically measured as a function of temperature, pressure, or chemical reaction, which allows researchers to determine the thermal expansion coefficient and study phase transitions in various materials like metals, ceramics, and polymers.

Explanation

The Nayankara system was a defining administrative and military feature of the Vijayanagara Empire. Under this system, the Vijayanagara rulers granted land territories, known as amaram, to military commanders or chiefs called Nayakas. In return, the Nayakas were responsible for maintaining a specified number of military troops, horses, and elephants for the service of the king, and they also collected revenue from their assigned lands while sending a portion of it to the imperial treasury. This system ensured military readiness and decentralized revenue collection across the vast empire.

Explanation

Argument 1 is strong because a promotion system based entirely on seniority overlooks merit, talent, and capability. In any progressive organization, promoting individuals based purely on the duration of their service rather than their suitability and performance leads to inefficiency and demotivates highly capable junior employees. Ensuring that deserving and qualified juniors are not bypassed simply due to lack of years in service is essential for maintaining fairness, boosting employee morale, and fostering a healthy, merit-driven work environment.

Explanation

The proposition "If a person is rich, he has a lot of influence" is a conditional statement of the form P ⟹ Q, where P represents "a person is rich" and Q represents "the person has a lot of influence". According to the rule of Modus Ponens in classical logic, if the antecedent P is true, then the consequent Q must necessarily be true. Since Tapas is rich, he satisfies the antecedent, which logically guarantees that he has a lot of influence.

Explanation

The elements in the given set (x, y, z) follow a specific mathematical relationship where the second term is 11 times the first term (y = 11x), and the third term is 20 times the first term (z = 20x).

For the set (7, 77, 140): 77 = 7 × 11 140 = 7 × 20

Applying this same relationship to the set (6, 66, 120): 66 = 6 × 11 120 = 6 × 20