66th BPSC Prelims (Held in 2020) Official paper (Previous Year Paper)

The correct answer is Vitamin C.

Important Points

• Milk is a nutrient-rich liquid food.
• It is an emulsion of fat in water.
• It is a colloidal suspension of proteins.
• It is produced by the mammary gland of mammals.
• It is composed of:
• Water = 87.5%.
• Fat = 3.9%.
• Protein = 3.4%.
• Lactose & Minerals = 5.2%.
• It comprises the following components:
• Protein, Calcium, Magnesium, Water, Fat, Phosphorus, Vitamin D, Potassium, Vitamin B12, Zinc & some amount of Carbohydrate.
• Lactose is the main Carbohydrate.
• Lactose is a disaccharide found only in milk and dairy products.
• The fermentation of lactose produces lactic acid, which causes a sour taste.
• The molecular mass of lactose: C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁.
• Milk contains a variety of proteins.
• Casein protein is the main among them.
• These protein form micelles which causes scattering of light ultimately causing milk to appear as white.
• Function:
• To provide nutrient to the body for the growth of tissue, bones & muscles.
• Lactic acid is found in it.

Additional Information

• June 1: World Milk Day.
• Emulsion: An emulsion is a special type of mixture made by combining two liquids that normally don't mix.
• Colloidal solution: The solution in which particle size is greater than a true solution but lesser than suspension.
• They are quite stable.
• Vitamin C:
• It is also called Ascorbic acid.
• Found in Citric fruits like Lemon.
• Its deficiency causes diseases like Scurvy in which Swelling & bleeding of gums occur.

The correct answer is 3 × 10⁸ ms^-1.

Important Points

• Electromagnetic waves:

• The waves which do not require any medium to propagate are termed electromagnetic waves.

• They can travel even through a vacuum.

• E.g: Cathode ray, Alpha ray, Beta ray, Gamma-ray, Ultraviolet rays etc.

• They propagate in a perpendicular direction to each electric field & magnetic field.

• These waves are composed of oscillating magnetic and electric fields.

• These waves travel with a constant velocity of 3 x 10⁸ ms^-1 in a vacuum.

• They are deflected neither by the electric field nor by the magnetic field.

• Electromagnetic wave spectrum:

• Gamma rays:

• Discovered by: Becquerel & Curie in 1896.

• Wavelength: 10^-14 to 10^-10m.

• Used in cancer treatment.

• X-rays:

• Discovered by Roentgen in 1895.

• Wavelength: 10^-12 to 10^-8 m.

• Used in detecting fracture in bones, hidden bullet, needle or metals etc. inside the body.

• Ultraviolet rays:

• Discovered by: Ritter in 1801.

• Wavelength: 10^-9m to 4 x 10^-7m.

• Used in preserving foodstuffs.

• In detecting invisible writing, forged documents.

• In capturing fingerprints in the laboratory.

• Visible light:

• First studied by Newton in 1666.

• Wavelength: 4 x 10^-7 to 7 x 10^-7 m.

• Infrared waves:

• Discovered by Herschel in 1800.

• Wavelength: 7 x 10^-7 m to 10^-3 m.

• Uses:

• In greenhouses to keep plants warm.

• In revealing secret writings.

• For looking through a fog, mist during wartime.

• In Tv remotes.

• Microwaves:

• Discovered by Hertz in 1888.

• Wavelength: 10^-4 m to 1 m.

• Uses:

• Mainly used in RADAR & long-distance communication.

• RADAR: Radio Detection & Ranging.

• In fixed traffic speed cameras.

• In remote sensing.

• Wireless networks.

• For cooking food in microwave ovens.

• Cancer treatment.

• Collision avoidance systems.

• Garage door openers & keyless entry systems.

• Radio waves:

• ​Discovered by Marconi in 1895.

• Wavelength: 0.1 m to 10⁵ m.

• Used in radio & TV.

Additional Information

• Frequency decreases:
• Gamma rays > X rays > Ultraviolet rays > Visible light > Infrared waves > Microwaves > Radio waves.
• Wavelength increases:
• Gamma rays < X rays < Ultraviolet rays < Visible light < Infrared waves < Microwaves < Radio waves.

The correct answer is Neil Armstrong.

Key Points

• On July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 blasted off to the moon from Cape Kennedy Space Centre, Florida.
• Apollo 11's mission: To land two men on the moon & come back to Earth safely.
• Crew: Neil Armstrong (Commander), Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin (Lunar Module Pilot) and Michael Collins (Command Module Pilot).
• On 20^th July 1969, Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the moon.
• They landed on the moon in the Lunar Module named "The Eagle".
• The lunar site where they landed is named "Sea of Tranquility".
• Collins stayed in orbit around the moon & performed experiments and took pictures.
• On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human to step on the moon.
• He and Aldrin walked there for three hours.
• They performed experiments.
• They picked up the moon's dirt and rocks for further study of the origin of the moon.
• They left a plaque on the moon.
• The plaque on the moon says, "Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the moon July 1969, A.D. We came in peace for all mankind."
• They put a U.S. flag on the moon.
• On July 24, 1969, all three astronauts came back to Earth safely.

Additional Information

• President of U.S.A in 1969: Richard Nixon (37^th).
• The first country to land on the moon: The Soviet Union in 1959. 
• The first artificial object to touch the Moon's surface was the Soviet Union's Luna 2, on 13 September 1959.
• Indian Lunar mission:
• It is known as the Chandrayaan programme:
• Chandrayaan 1:
• Launched in October 2008.
• It operated until August 2009.
• The mission included a lunar orbiter and an impactor.
• Chandrayaan 2:
• Launched from: Satish Dhawan Space Centre on 22 July 2019.
• Launching vehicle: Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III).
• Status: Crashed while landing. It comprised indigenously built lunar orbiter, lander and rover.
• The objective of the mission: To map the location & abundance of water on the moon's surface.
• Chandrayaan 3:
• Mission: To attempt a soft landing of lunar surface & perform tasks assigned to Chandrayaan 2.
• Components: A lander, rover and a propulsion module.
• Status: To be launched in 2023.
• Lunar Polar Exploration Mission 2024:
• ​It is a joint mission of JAXA and ISRO to explore the south pole region of the Moon.
• JAXA: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
• Components: Lander, rover
• Status: Planning & funding of mission is in the process (as of February 2021).

The correct answer is Infrared.

• Infrared rays are used for the treatment of muscles ache, and tension.
• It is also used in cookers for cooking food, in short-range communications, in thermal imaging cameras etc.

​

Important Points

Electromagnetic waves:

• The waves which do not require any medium to propagate are termed electromagnetic waves.
• They can travel even through a vacuum.
• E.g: Infrared waves, Gamma-ray, Ultraviolet rays etc.

Infrared waves:

• Discovered by Herschel in 1800.

• Wavelength: 7 x 10^-7 m to 10^-3 m.

• Position in the spectrum:

• Infrared radiation is a constituent of the electromagnetic waves spectrum.

• Mostly the warm objects emit infrared radiation.

• It is beyond the human visible spectrum but can be felt.

• Every object with a temperature above - 268^oC emits IR radiation.

• It is used in joining fabrics made of thermoplastic polymers including polyamides, polypropylene, polycarbonate.

• Uses:

• Half of the sunlight received by earth is Infrared radiation.

• It plays an important role in regulating the average temperature of the earth through the greenhouse effect.

• In Earth satellites, for military purposes and to observe the growth of crops.

• In revealing secret writings.

• For looking through a fog, mist during wartime.

• In TV remotes.

It has been categorised into three types:

• Short Wave or Near-Infrared:
• It is closer to visible light in the electromagnetic spectrum.
• Temperature range: 740 to (3,000-5,200)K.
• They don't emit any detectable heat.
• It is used in TV remote control.
• Medium Wave or Middle Infrared: 
• Temperature range: (92.5-140) to 740K.
• Helpful in observing cooler objects such as planets, comets and asteroids.
• Longwave Infrared or Far Infrared:
• They are nearer to the microwaves in the electromagnetic spectrum.
• Temperature range: (10.6-18.5) to (92.5-140)K.
• They can be felt as intense heat.
• They are mostly emitted by the sun.
• Also emitted by Cold dust.

Additional Information

• Other properties of electromagnetic waves:
• They propagate in a perpendicular direction to each electric field & magnetic field.
• These waves are composed of oscillating magnetic and electric fields.
• These waves travel with a constant velocity of 3 x 10⁸ ms^-1 in a vacuum.
• They are deflected neither by the electric field nor by the magnetic field.
• Some of the other electromagnetic waves:
• Ultraviolet rays:
• Discovered by: Ritter in 1801.
• Wavelength: 10^-9m to 4 x 10^-7m.
• Used in preserving foodstuffs.
• In detecting invisible writing, forged documents.
• In capturing fingerprints in the laboratory.
• Visible light:
• First studied by Newton in 1666.
• Wavelength: 4 x 10^-7 to 7 x 10^-7 m.

The correct answer is 4.70 kilo-ohm.

Solution: 

• Total Resistance (R) = 1.403 kilo-ohm.
• R₁ = 2.0 Kilo-ohm.
• R₂ =?
• 1 kilo-ohm = 10³ ohm.
• 1.403 kilo-ohm = 1403 ohm.
• 2 kilo-ohm = 2000 ohm.
• Now, for parallel combination: 
• 1/R = 1/R1 + 1/R2
• On putting the values;   1/1403 = 1/2000 + 1/ R₂
• 1/1043 - 1/2000 = R₂
• 2000 - 1403 / 1403 x 2000 = 1/R₂
• 597/ 1403 x 2000 = 1/R₂
• R₂ = 1403 x 2000 / 597 = 2806000 / 597 = 4700.16
• R₂ = 4700.16 ohm
• If 10³ ohm = 1 kilo-ohm
• then, 4700 ohm = 4.7 kilo-ohm
• Therefore, R₂ = 4.7 kilo-ohm.

Key Points

Resistance:

• ​It is the ability of the material to oppose the flow of current through the conductor.
• It depends on the following factors: Length, Area, Temperature, and Type of material.
• R = p L / A.
• Where p = resistivity of the material.
• L = length of the conductor.
• A = cross-sectional area of the conductor.
• SI Unit = Ohm.

Combination of resistances:

1. Resistance in series:

• When two or more resistances are connected end to end, they are said to be connected in series.
• In a series combination, the current flow through each resistor remains the same.
• R_eq = R₁ + R₂ + R₃ + R₄.
• In this resistance, the equivalent resistance is larger than the largest individual resistance in the combination.

2. Resistance in Parallel:

• When two or more resistances are connected simultaneously between two points, they form a parallel combination.
• In this type, Voltage across each resistor remains the same.
• 1/R_eq = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ + 1/R₃ + 1/R₄ .
• Here, the equivalent resistance is smaller than the individual smallest resistance in the combination.
• Household circuits are designed in parallel combinations.

Additional Information

• Ohm's law:
• If the physical conditions like temperature, strain etc. remain the same, then the current flowing through the conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference  (V) across its two ends. 
• V = IR,  R = constant of proportionality i.e: Resistance.

The correct answer is Decreases.

Key Points

• On heating, bonds between the electrons of semiconductors break because of the energy gained due to heating.
• Electrons become free & help in the conduction of electric current if there is a potential difference applied across the semiconductor.
• Hence the resistance decreases on heating.

Resistance:

• ​It is the ability of the material to oppose the flow of current through the conductor.
• It depends on the following factors:
• Length.
• Area.
• Temperature.
• Type of material.
• R = p L / A.
• Where p = resistivity of the material.
• L = length of the conductor.
• A = cross-sectional area of the conductor.
• SI Unit = Ohm.
• In the case of a conductor, resistance increases on heating.

Resistivity:

• It is the electrical property of a material that determines the resistance of a conductor.
• It depends upon the nature & temperature of the material.
• SI unit: Ohm- metre.

Semiconductor:

• ​It is the type of material having conductance lesser than conductor & resistance lesser than insulators.
• They do not have free electrons at normal temperatures.
• On heating, the electrons get free & they behave like a conductor.
• The entire electronic system is based on semiconductor devices.
• Materials like Si, Ge, As etc are semiconductors.
• A pure semiconductor is neither n-type nor p-type.
• Both p-type & n-type semiconductor is electrically neutral.
• It is of two types:
• Intrinsic:
• It is a semiconductor in pure form.
• E.g: Germanium (Ge), Silicon (Si) etc.
• Extrinsic:
• It is a semiconductor mixed with a suitable impurity to increase its conductivity.
• It is further classified into two groups:
• n-type: It is mixed with pentavalent impurity like As, Sb etc. in which negatively charged electrons work as charge carriers.
• p-type: It is mixed with trivalent impurity like Al, B etc. in which positively charged holes work as charge carriers.

Additional Information

• **Electric current:**​
• ​It is the rate of flow of charge.
• Its magnitude is equal to the rate of flow of electric charge through a conductor.
• Electric current: I = ne/t.
• Where n = number of electrons flowing through a conductor.
• e = electric charge i.e
• e = 1.6 x 10-19C.
• t = time period.
• It is a scalar unit.
• SI unit: Ampere (A).

The correct answer is Faraday constant is a universal constant.

• Faraday constant (F) = 96485 C mol⁻¹.

Key Points

• Faraday:
• When an electric current passes up to 1 second due to 96485 C, through an electrolyte then the equivalent weight of electrolyte deposited is one & this amount of electric current is called 1 Faraday.
• Faraday constant (F) = 96485C mol⁻¹
• The constant is named after the British physicist Michael Faraday.
• It is a universal constant.
• It is the amount of electric charge carried by 1 mole of electrons.
• Represented by F & its measuring unit is Coulombs per mole (C.mol^-1 ).
• Faraday's laws of electrolysis:
• First law:
• The total mass (m) deposited at an electrode in the process of electrolysis is directly proportional to the total charge (q) passed through the electrolyte,
• m = Z.i.t
• Where i = electric current.
• t = time.
• Z = electrochemical equivalent of the substance deposited at the electrode.
• Second law:
• If some amount of electric current is allowed to flow for some time in various electrolytes, then the mass (m) of the substance deposited at the electrodes is directly proportional to their chemical equivalent weight (w), i.e: m directly proportional to w or (m₁ / m₂) = (w₁ / w₂).

Additional Information

• Coulomb = Current (in ampere) x Time (in seconds).
• 1 Coulomb = 6.241 x 10¹⁸ protons.
• It is the SI unit of Electric Charge.

The correct answer is Distance.

Important Points

• Light Year:
• It is to used to measure distances in-universe.
• It is the distance travelled by a beam of light in a single Earth year.
• It is approximately 6 trillion miles (9.7 trillion kilometres).
• The speed of light is constant throughout the universe i.e: 3 x 10⁸ ms^-1.
• Measuring in light-years also allows astronomers to determine how far back in time they are viewing.
• It can be divided into smaller units as light-hours, light-minutes or light-seconds.
• According to the IAU, the light-year is the product of the Julian year (365.25 days) & the speed of light.
• There are two other units to determine length, are used in astronomical studies:
• The astronomical unit (AU):
• The astronomical unit (AU) is the distance from the Earth to the Sun.
• It is the shortest astronomical unit of distance.
• The distance between the Sun & Earth changes throughout the year.
• It is due to Earth’s orbit which is an ellipse.
• It is approximately equal to 93 million miles.
• Short distances between bodies within a solar system which is in fractions of a light-year, is expressed in astronomical units.
• The parsec (pc):
• The parsec (pc) is a unit of length used to measure distance in-universe.
• It is the distance from the Sun to an astronomical object with a parallax angle of one arcsecond.
• 1 parsec = 3.3 light years (approx.)
• It is used to measure large distances in-universe.

The correct answer is Frequency.

Key Points

Refraction of Light:

• It is the phenomenon of deviation of light rays from its path when it travels from one transparent medium to another transparent medium.
• The cause of refraction is the speed of light which is different in a different mediums.
• In refraction, the speed of light & its wavelength change but its frequency remains unchanged.
• Here, the refractive index is also equal to the velocity of light c of a given wavelength in empty space divided by its velocity v in a substance.
• Thus, Velocity, Wavelength & Refractive index changes when light travels from one medium to another but Frequency remains unchanged.
• When a light ray travels from a denser medium to a rarer medium, it deviates away from the normal.
• When a light ray travels from a rarer medium to a denser medium, it deviates from the normal.

Laws of refraction:

1. The incident ray, the refracted ray & the normal at the point of incidence all three lie in the same plane.
2. The ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction remains constant for a pair of the medium.

• sin i / sin r = constant (¹u₂).
• This is also called Snell's law.

Refractive index:

• ​The ratio of the speed of light in vacuum (c) to the speed of light in any medium (v), is called the refractive index.
• It is given by:  u = c / v.

Relative refractive index:

• ​The refractive index of the second medium with respect to the first medium is given by u = v₁ / v₂.
• where v₁ = Speed of light in the first medium.
• v₂ = speed of light in the second medium.

Additional Information

• The wavelength of light:
• It is the distance between two successive crests or troughs of a wave.
• It is measured in the direction of the wave.
• SI unit: Angstrom.
• 1 Angstrom: 10−10 metre, or 0.1 nanometer.
• Frequency:
• It is the number of oscillation per unit of time.
• It is used for defining the cyclic process like rotation, oscillation, wave etc.
• SI unit: Hertz.

The correct answer is 148.

Important Points

• Plutonium:
• Symbol: Pu.
• State: Solid.
• Atomic number: 94.
• Atomic mass: 244.
• Electron Configuration: [Rn] 5f⁶ 7s².
• Ionization energy: 6.06eV.
• Element period number: 7.
• Element group: Actinides.
• Melting point: 640^oC.
• Boiling point: 3228^oC.
• Material: Metal.
• It was first produced by Edward M. McMillan, Arthur C. Wohl, Glenn T. Seaborg, Joseph W. Kennedy in 1940.
• It was created by bombarding Uranium 238 with deuterium nuclei in a cyclotron.

Key Points

• The mass number is the sum of protons & neutrons.
• To find the number of neutrons, one has to subtract the number of protons from the mass number.
• On the periodic table, the atomic number is the number of protons & the atomic mass is the mass number.
• It is not a good conductor of heat or electricity.
• It has a bright silvery appearance at first and takes on a dull grey, yellow or olive green tarnish when oxidized in the air.
• Plutonium metal has six allotropes: alpha, beta, gamma, delta, delta prime & epsilon.
• It forms a seventh phase under high temperature and limited pressure.
• These allotropes have very similar energy levels.
• They have varying densities & crystal structures.
• Varying density & crystal structure makes it very sensitive to modification in temperature, pressure.
• At room temperature, it is in its alpha form which is the most common structural form of the element.
• At room temperature, it is as hard & brittle like iron. 
• To make it soft & ductile at room temperature, it is mixed with various other metals.

Additional Information

• Uses:
• It is used in radioisotope thermoelectric generators to provide electricity for space probes intended to explore space like the Cassini and Galileo missions.
• It is used in nuclear weapons & in some nuclear reactors.
• Isotopes:
• There are 23 radioactive isotopes of plutonium having mass numbers from 228 to 247.
• The longest-living isotopes are the following:
• Plutonium-244 having a half-life of 80.8 million years.
• Plutonium-242 having a half-life of 373,300 years.
• Plutonium-239 having a half-life of 24,110 years.
• Plutonium-238 having a half-life of 87.7 years.

The correct answer is Honey.

Important Points

• Viscosity:
• S I unit: Pascal seconds (Pa·s) or kg·m⁻¹·s⁻¹.
• It is the property of a liquid representing the internal resistance of its different layers to motion.
• The forces between the layers opposing motion are known as Viscous force.
• It is the internal property of liquids & gases which is produced by the cohesive forces of the molecules.
• Generally, viscosity falls rapidly with temperature & it rises with rising pressure except in water.
• The viscosity of the fluid at rest will be 1 Poise.
• It is independent of the state of the fluid.
• The viscosity of a liquid is measured by a Viscometer or Rheometer.
• According to Newton, the viscous force acting between any two layers of the fluid is proportional to the velocity gradient (dv/dx) in the direction perpendicular to the layers & area (A) of the layer.
• If the viscous force F is acting between two layers of fluid of area A & have a velocity gradient dv/dx between them, then:
• F = -n A dv / dx. 
• ​F / A = - n dv/dx.  i.e: Shear stress is directly proportional to Shear strain.
• F / A directly proportional dv/dx, where

(dv/dx) = velocity gradient & n= coefficient of viscosity.

• Factors on which viscosity depends:
• Distance between the two adjacent layers.
• Area of contact between the two adjacent layers.
• The velocity difference between the two adjacent layers.

Additional Information

• It is controlled by the strength of intermolecular forces & shapes of the molecules of a fluid.
• Fluids whose molecules are polar or can form hydrogen bonds are usually more viscous than nonpolar substances.
• The viscosity of a liquid always decreases as temperature increases.
• As the molecules gain more energy, they can escape from their intermolecular forces more easily.

The correct answer is Potassium dichromate-sulfuric acid.

• It a test to check the presence of alcohol in a person's blood & carried out on samples of breath provided by the person.
• It is done with the help of filter paper made of Potassium dichromate-sulfuric acid.

​

Important Points

• Concept of the test:
• When a person drinks alcohol, it comes in the breath because it gets absorbed from the mouth, stomach and intestines into the bloodstream.
• After consumption of alcohol, nearly 20% of alcohol is absorbed in the stomach and 80% in the small intestine.
• After absorption, the alcohol enters the bloodstream and dissolves in the water of the blood.
• It is carried to the entire body with blood.
• The alcohol dissolves in the water inside each tissue of the body (except fat tissue, as alcohol cannot be dissolved in fat).
• Once it is dissolved in tissues, it starts to exert effects on the body.
• This absorption in tissues directly impacts Blood Alcohol Concentration.
• The BAC increases within 15-20 minutes of drinking alcohol.
• Once absorbed by the bloodstream, the lungs exhale some amount of alcohol, which is detected by the filter paper.
• Exhaled air can be classified into three types of samples:
• Tidal Breath air (the normal shallow breath).
• Reserve Breath air (exhaled on exertion-faster but not deeper breathing) and
• Alveolar Breath air (deep lung air).
• This alveolar breath air is used in testing.

Additional Information

• Other ways of Alcohol Drunk Testing:
• Breathalyzer: It uses a chemical reaction involving alcohol that produces a colour change.
• Divided Attention Tests: It requires a suspect to listen to and follow instructions while performing simple physical movements.
• Walk-And-Turn Test: The suspect is directed to take nine steps, heel-to-toe, along a straight line.
• After taking the steps, the suspect must turn on one foot and return in the same manner in the opposite direction.
• One-Leg Stand Test: The suspect is instructed to stand with one foot off the ground and count loudly.

The correct answer is Zymase.

• C₆H₁₂O₆ ----^zymase--------> 2C₂H₅OH + 2CO₂ .

Important Points

• Glucose:

• It is a monosaccharide.

• Chemical formula: C₆H₁₂O₆.

• Molar mass: 180.156 g/mol.

• Other names: 

• Dextrose, Corn sugar, Blood sugar, Grape sugar etc.

• Structural formula:

• It is prominently made by plants during photosynthesis using water and carbon dioxide & sunlight.

• It is used as an energy source in living organisms.

• The glucose in the blood is called blood sugar. Blood sugar levels are maintained by the hypothalamus.

• Zymase:

• It is an enzyme that catalyses the fermentation of sugar into ethanol & Carbon dioxide.

• It was first extracted from the yeast cell in 1897 by German chemist Eduard Buchner.

• He got Nobel Prize in Chemistry for this in 1907.

• Ethyl Alcohol:

• Chemical formula: C₂H₅OH.

• Structural formula: 

• Boiling point: 78.37 °C.

• Molar mass: 46.07 g/mol.

• Melting point: -114.1 °C.

• It is also known as alcohol or drinking alcohol or ethanol or grain alcohol.

• It is the main alcohol found in alcoholic beverages.

• It is produced by the fermentation of sugars by yeasts.

• It is a clear, colourless liquid.

• It is a neurotoxic, psychoactive drug.

• It is used as an engine fuel & fuel additive.

Additional Information

• Monosaccharides:
• These are the simplest carbohydrates.
• They have a sweet taste & known as sugars.
• These all reduce Tollen's reagent, Fehling solution etc. because of which they are known as reducing sugars.
• They are soluble in water.
• E.g: Glucose, Fructose, Galactose etc.

The correct answer is CO_2.

• Ca(OH)₂  + CO₂  --> CaCO₃ + H₂O.
• When carbon dioxide (CO₂) is passed through lime water (dilute aqueous solution of Calcium hydroxide) (Ca(OH)₂), a precipitate of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) of the white colour is formed.

Important Points

• Lime Water:
• Formula: Ca(OH)₂.
• Also called Slaked lime.
• Chemical name: Calcium hydroxide.
• Formation: When water is added to lime, calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)₂ is formed i.e: CaO + H₂O --> Ca(OH)₂.
• Boiling point: 2,850 °C.
• Melting point: 580 °C.
• Molar mass: 74.093 g/mol.
• Uses:
• In sewage treatment.
• In the paper industry.
• In the food processing industry.
• In lime softening to reduce water hardness.
• As a neutralizing agent in the water treatment plant.
• As the colouring of houses i.e: whitewashing.
• Lime (CaO):
• Melting point: 2,572 °C.
• Boiling point: 2,850 °C.
• Also called Quick lime.
• It is an amorphous white solid.
• It is very stable & can sustain high temperatures.

The correct answer is Carbon Monoxide.

Important Points

• Fuels:
• These substances produce heat & light on combustion.
• Petroleum:
• It is a dark coloured oily liquid with an offensive odour.
• It is also called Rock oil, Mineral oil, or Black gold.
• When fractional distillation is carried out, it gives different products at different temperatures.
• It is a naturally occurring oily, flammable liquid.
• It is comprised of hydrocarbons (50–98%).
• Fuels such as natural gas and petrol contain hydrocarbons.
• These are compounds of hydrogen and carbon only.
• When they burn completely:
• The carbon oxidises to carbon dioxide.
• The hydrogen oxidises to water.
• Petrol & Diesel:
• It is a flammable liquid primarily used as fuel in vehicles.
• It comprises organic compounds obtained by the fractional distillation of petroleum.
• Incomplete combustion creates carbon monoxide.
• ​It binds with haemoglobin & reduces the capacity of blood to carry oxygen.
• Both are made from Petroleum/ Crude oil.
• Both are made by Fractional distillation.
• Auto-ignition temperature: Disel = 210°C, Petrol = 246°C.

The correct answer is Decrease 1000 times.

Given, pH = 3.

• Therefore, [H+] = 10^–3.
• ^​Now, pH = 6, so, [H+] = 10^–6.
• Hence [H+] reduced by 10^–3 times i.e: 1000 times.

Important Points

pH Scale:

• Introduced by Sorensen in 1909.
• It is used to express the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution in terms of hydrogen ion concentration [H⁺].
• This scale is based upon the ionic product of water.
• It is the negative logarithm to the base 10 of the hydrogen ion concentration in mole per litre i.e: _PH= - log [H⁺].
• pH= log 1/ [H⁺].
• pH is:
• 7 for neutral solutions.
• Greater than 7 for a basic solution.
• Less than 7 for acidic solutions.
• In general, pH decreases with rising in temperature.

The pH of some common substances

Additional Information

• Application of pH:
• Brewing and winemaking.
• Agriculture and gardening.
• Aquaculture and aquatic ecosystems.
• Water treatment.
• Swimming pool maintenance.
• Food Industry.

The correct answer is Sublimation.

Important Points

• Naphthalene is a colourless crystalline solid with a strong mothball odour.

• It is also called white tar & tar camphor.

• Melting point: 80.1 C.

• Boiling point: 218.C.

• Molecular Weight: 128.17 g/mol.

• Molecular formula: C10H8.

• Chemical structure: 

• It is obtained from either coal tar or petroleum distillation.

• It is a white, volatile, solid polycyclic hydrocarbon.

• It is almost insoluble in water.

• The solid is denser than water and thus insoluble in water.

• It is highly volatile.

• Uses:

• It is used in the dyes industry.

• It is used as a moth repellent.

• It is used as wood preservatives.

• It used as fumigant, lubricants, and to make other chemicals.

• It is used in the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride ( PVC) plastics.

• It is used in synthetic tanning, preservative, textile chemicals, emulsion breakers.

• It is used around garden and building peripheries to repel animals such as snakes and rabbits.

• Fuels such as petroleum and coal contain naphthalene.

• It is the most abundant single constituent of coal tar.

• It is commercially produced by crystallization from the intermediate fraction of condensed coal tar and from the heavier fraction of cracked petroleum.

• Negative effects:

• Excess exposure to naphthalene can cause the following issues:

• Hemolytic anaemia.

• Damage to the liver.

• Neurological system.

• Cataracts.

• It is generally accepted to be a human carcinogen.

• It may increase the risk of developing laryngeal (larynx) and colorectal (colon) cancer.

• It is a white solid that evaporates easily because of sublimation.

• Sublimation:

• It is the process of transition of a substance from the solid-state to the gaseous state without passing through the liquid state.

• The substance showing this phenomenon is called sublimate.

• E.g: Camphor, Naphthalene, Dry ice (solid CO₂) etc.

• When naphthalene is heated, it sublimes easily because it is made up of non-polar molecules that are held together only by weak Van der Waal intermolecular forces of attraction.

The correct answer is 12, 3.

Key Points

• Structural formula:

• As in structure,

• There are 6 C-H & 6 C-C bonds. Therefore, it is 12 sigma bonds.

• There are 3 C=C pi bonds in benzene.

• Therefore, there are 12 sigma & 3 pi bonds in total.

• Hence, Benzene is made of 15 covalent bonds.

Additional Information

• Benzene is the simplest aromatic hydrocarbon.
• It was discovered by Faraday in 1825.
• Molecular formula: C6H6.
• Molar mass: 78.11 g/mol.
• Melting point: 5.5o C.
• Boiling point: 80o C.
• It is highly inflammable and very stable.
• It is found in the liquid state at room temperature.
• It is colourless.
• It is a natural component of crude oil and used as a solvent for fats, resins etc. in the dry cleaning industry.
• It is also used as motor fuel by the name 'Benzol'.
• It is highly toxic in nature.
• Its excessive use increases the risk of cancer and also a causative agent for the failure of bone marrow.
• The aromatic nature of benzene is because of the continuous cyclic pi bond between the carbon atom.
• It is basically used to produce polystyrene.

Additional Information

• Hydrocarbons:
• These are the hydrocarbons of only carbon & hydrogen.
• These are of three types:

1. Saturated Hydrocarbons: These compounds contain only a single (--) bond. 

• These are also called alkanes or paraffin.
• General formula: C_nH_2n+2, where n= 1, 2, 3,....  .

2. Unsaturated Hydrocarbons: 

• General formula: C_nH_2n for alkenes & C_nH_2n-2 for alkynes.

3. Aromatic hydrocarbons: Also called arenes.

• They have a ring structure.
• Most of them have pleasant odours.
• They give black shoot on burning.

The correct answer is C, H, N, O.

Important Points

• Urea is also known as Carbamide.
• It is an organic compound.
• Chemical formula:  CO(NH₂)₂.
• Molar mass: 60.06 g/mole.
• Two NH2 groups joined by a carbonyl (C=O) functional group.
• It has four elements i.e: carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen.
• Structural Formula:

​

• It is the first organic compound discovered in a laboratory.
• It is a colourless, odourless solid.
• It is highly soluble in water & non-toxic.
• After dissolving in water, it is neither acidic nor alkaline.
• Urea is prepared by reacting ammonia, sulphur, and carbon monoxide in methanol.
• Roles of Urea:
• As fertilizer.
• As flour treatment agent.
• As has the role of human metabolite.
• It has an important role in the metabolism of nitrogen-containing compounds by animals.
• It is the chief nitrogen-containing constituent in the urine.
• The human body uses it in many ways like in nitrogen excretion. 
• The liver forms it by combining two ammonia molecules (NH₃) with a carbon dioxide (CO₂) molecule in the urea cycle.
• It is widely used in fertilizers as a source of nitrogen (N).
• It is used as a raw material for the chemical industry.
• It is used in cattle feed as a direct supplier of nitrogen to promote growth.
• It is also used in skin creams, moisturizers & shampoos.
• It is used as a raw material in tooth whitening products.
• Negative effects:
• It can cause irritation in the skin, eyes & respiratory tract.
• Continuous contact with urea as fertilizer can cause skin disease.
• The higher level of urea in the blood can be damaging.
• It can cause algal blooms to produce toxins.

The correct answer is Lead.

• Among metals:
• Copper & Zinc are good conductors.
• Mercury metal is a poor conductor while Lead is the poorest conductor.

Important Points

• Conductor: 
• It is that type of materials, which have a number of free electrons to conduct electricity or heat.
• The metals are good conductors of heat.
• The free electrons are also known as conduction electrons.
• Metals:
• ​These elements have a tendency to lose electron & form cation.
• They are electropositive in nature.
• In the periodic table, all elements of s, d, f block are metals.
• They are generally good conductors of electricity & heat.
• Mercury provides very high resistance to the flow of electric current or heat.
• Metals are generally hard.

Note:

(Exceptions) Sodium & Potassium can be cut with a knife.

• They are malleable & ductile.
• Gold & Silver are the most malleable & best ductile metals.
• They are solid at room temperature except for Mercury, Cesium, Gallium.

The correct answer is Vitamin K.

Important Points

Some important Vitamins:

Additional Information

• There are three types of blood corpuscles namely:
• Erythrocytes or red blood cells,
• Leucocytes or blood cells.
• Thrombocytes or Blood platelets.
• Blood Platelets or Thrombocytes:
• They are only found in the blood of human beings & mammals in which nuclei are absent.
• These are composed of the cytoplasm of a larger nuclear cell of bone marrow.
• Its average life span is 7 days.
• Platelets are produced from very large bone marrow cells called Megakaryocytes.
• When the blood capillaries are cut, then blood platelets come at the point of damage and starts to accumulate by secreting a special type of chemical which helps in blood clotting.
• Blood Clotting:
• It is the conversion of normal viscous blood fluid into a jelly-like mass within 3-10 minutes after its exposure to air.
• The mechanism of blood clotting comprises three steps which are the following:
• Stage I: The thromboplastin is released from the injured tissue.
• It changes into the prothrombinase enzyme.
• Stage II: Prothrombinase inactivates Heparin & catalyses the breakdown of prothrombin into thrombin.
• Stage III: Active thrombin converts blood-soluble fibrinogen into fibrin.
• The thrombin acts as an enzyme to convert soluble fibrinogen of blood into insoluble fibrin threads in which RBCs get trapped.
• As a result, the clot is formed at the site of injury.
• Heparin is the anti-clotting substance that exists in blood & prevents it from clotting inside blood vessels by prohibiting the catalytic activities of prothrombin.
• Basophils and mast cells produce heparin in all mammals.
• Disorders with low platelet counts are called Thrombocytopenia.

The correct answer is Estrogen.

• Hormones are chemical messengers that the endocrine glands produce & release directly into the bloodstream.
• Hormones help regulate many bodily processes, such as hunger, sleep, and growth.
• Sex hormones play an essential role in sexual development and reproduction.
• The main glands that produce sex hormones are the adrenal glands and the gonads.
• It includes the ovaries in females and testes in males.

Important Points

• Sex hormones are crucial for various functions of the body in both male & female.
• Some of them are:
• Puberty and sexual development.
• Reproduction.
• Sexual desire.
• Promoting pubic hair growth
• Female sex hormone:
• The ovaries and adrenal glands are the main producers of female sex hormones.
• Female sex hormones include estrogen, progesterone, and a small amount of testosterone.
• Estrogen:
• The majority of the estrogen is produced by the ovaries.
• The adrenal glands and fat cells also produce small amounts of estrogen.
• Estrogen plays a crucial role in reproductive and sexual development in the female.
• Progesterone:
• The adrenal glands, ovaries & placenta produce the hormone progesterone.
• Progesterone level increases during ovulation and spur during pregnancy.
• It helps in stabilizing the menstrual cycle.
• Prepares the body for pregnancy.
• Its lower level leads to irregular periods & increases complications during pregnancy.

Additional Information

• Appropriate levels of estrogen and progesterone lead to the development of secondary sexual characteristics in female, which are the following:
• Breast development.
• Hair growth on the underarms, legs, and pubic region.
• Widening of the pelvis and hips.
• Factors that can affect the levels of female sex hormones are the following:
• Age.
• Menstruation.
• Pregnancy.
• Menopause.
• Stress.
• Medications.

The correct answer is Arvid Carlsson.

Important Points

• Dr Arvid Carlsson (1923-2018) got the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2000 for his research on the brain's chemical signals and the resulting treatment for Parkinson's disease.
• He shared with Paul Greengard and Eric R. Kandel.
• He was a Swedish Neuropharmacologist.
• He was best known for his work with the neurotransmitter 'Dopamine' and its effects on Parkinson's disease.
• Parkinson's disease:
• Parkinson’s disease got its name from the English physician James Parkinson.
• He published a comprehensive description titled "An Essay on the Shaking Palsy" related to Parkison's disease in 1817.
• Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that is caused by degeneration of nerve cells in the part of the brain called the Substantia Nigra, which controls movement.
• These nerve cells die or become impaired, losing the ability to produce an important chemical called dopamine.
• Common Symptoms:
• Tremor or the involuntary and rhythmic movements of the hands, arms, legs and jaw.
• Muscle rigidity or stiffness of the limbs.
• The gradual loss of spontaneous movement.
• Unsteady walk or balance.
• Depression or dementia.
• Noble Prize:
• The Nobel Prizes are given in the memory of Alfred Bernhard Nobel (1833-1896).
• Originally, the Nobel Prize was awarded for works in 5 disciplines that are:
• Peace, Physics, Chemistry, Medicine & Literature.
• The first prize was given in 1901.
• The Prize for Economics was instituted in 1968 by a Swedish bank. It was awarded first time in 1969.
• The award comprises a Gold Medal, Diploma, extension in Swiss visa & passport & 8 million Swedish Krona.
• The awards can be given to a maximum of three persons in the same field at the same time.
• It is not awarded posthumously.
• Award in 2020 for Medicine: Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton & Charles M.Rice.
• For the discovery of the hepatitis C virus.

Additional Information

• John Franklin Enders (1897-1985):
• The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1954.
• He got this award for his contribution to the discovery of the ability of poliomyelitis viruses to grow in cultures of various types of tissue.
• Robert B. Laughlin:
• The Nobel Prize in Physics in 1998.
• He got this award for his contribution to the discovery of a new form of quantum fluid with fractionally charged excitations.
• Walter Kohn (1923-2016):
• The Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1998.
• He got this award for his contribution to the development of the density-functional theory.
• Only Indian to get Nobel Prize in Medicine is Hargobind Khorana (1922-2011).
• He got this award for his contribution to the interpretation of the genetic code and its function in protein synthesis in 1968.

The correct answer is Iodine.

Important Points

• Thyroid Gland:
• It is a butterfly-shaped gland.
• It lies in front of the Trachea & below the Larynx.
• It uses iodine to make hormones like Thyroxine, Calcitonin, Tri-odo-thyronine.
• It is a type of Endocrine gland, that secrets hormones directly into the bloodstream.
• Thyroxine Hormone:
• This hormone increases metabolism & blood pressure.
• Iodine is essential for the synthesis of thyroxine hormone.
• It can be obtained from fishes, green leafy vegetable, iodised salt.
• It regulates tissue growth.
• It along with hormones from the Pituitary gland regulates the water level balance in the human body.

Diseases caused due to abnormal secretion of Thyroxine hormone:

Additional Information

The correct answer is the Posterior part.

Important Points

• The tongue is responsible for the sense of taste.
• Special receptors cells present in taste buds are called Chemoreceptors.
• They are responsible to transmit taste & smell to the brain.
• Taste buds are found in the papillae of the tongue.
• They are specialized for detecting aqueous chemical stimuli.
• The taste & nature of the food like sour, sweet, bitter, salty etc are realised due to the presence of these taste buds.
• Sweet & salty mainly at the tip of the tongue.
• Sour at the sides of the tongue.
• Bitter at the back of the tongue.
• Taste buds are onion-shaped end organs containing 50– 150 cells commonly.
• Taste bud contains receptor cells and supporting cells that are both derived from epithelial cells.
• These taste receptors are specialized cells surrounded by nerve endings.
• The lifespan of the taste cells within the taste buds is 10-14 days & a variety of different developmental stages are present within a single taste bud.
• The lifespan of the cells is short due to the damaging effects of temperatures, textures, and size of foods.
• However, the taste bud itself will not die unless significantly damaged.
• Dying cells are continuously being replaced by new taste cells.
• The taste receptor cells within a bud are arranged such that their tips form a small taste pore, and through this pore microvilli from the taste, cells extend.
• The receptor-stimulus-binding event triggers a neurotransmitter release onto different nerve fibres.
• There starts propagation of sensory information to taste processing areas in the central nervous system & thus, the brain identifies the taste.

The correct answer is it has nodes and internodes.

Important Points

• Ginger is a stem and not a root because it has nodes and internodes.
• It is a rhizome, an underground modification of the stem.
• The rhizome is a branched, prostrate, horizontally growing stem having nodes and internodes.
• It has a brownish line that represents nodes and internodes.
• It has scale leaves at nodes, axillary buds & a terminal bud.
• These leaves lack chlorophyll.
• The terminal bud gives rise to aerial shoot at the onset of a favorable condition.
• It grows above the ground & runs parallel to the ground.
• It helps the plant to propagate vegetatively.
• The nodes present in ginger give rise to both root & shoot.
• Underground modifications of stems:
• Underground stems are modified to store food inside them.
• It becomes thick & tuberous because of the storage of food.
• Various types of modifications are:
• Stem tuber: Potato.
• Bulb: Onion, Garlic, Tulips, Lilies, etc.
• Corm: Gladius, Sativus, etc.
• Rhizome: Ginger, Turmeric, Banana, Ferns, etc.
• Rhizome:
• The rhizome which grows with lateral buds is called a sympodial rhizome.
• E.g: Ginger.
• The rhizome which grows through terminal buds is called a monopodial rhizome.
• E.g: Lotus.

The correct answer is Fructose.

Important Points 

• Fructose:

• Its older name is levulose.

• It is a functional isomer of glucose and has a ketone group.

• Fructose is a type of sugar found in many fruits and vegetables.

• It is a monosaccharide, ketose sugar, hexose & reducing sugar.

• It is separated from glucose by crystallisation using alcohol.

• It is a fruit sugar along with glucose & galactose, the three dietary monosaccharides.

• Molecular formula: C₆H₁₂O₆ with one ketonic group & five alcoholic groups.

• Molar mass: 180.15 g.mol^-1.

• Melting point: 103^oC.

• Structural formula: 

• Features:

• It is sweet in taste.

• During digestion, it gets directly absorbed in the blood.

• It is the sweetest of all naturally occurring carbohydrates.

• It absorbs moisture quickly & thus, becomes sticky.

• It is white, odourless.

• Naturally, they occur in litchi, mango, Guava etc.

• For commercial purposes, it is derived from sugarcane, sugar beets.

• Health effects:

• Weight gain.

• Can cause type 2 diabetes.

• Can cause cardiovascular disorders.

• Excess consumption leads to liver failure.

• The naturally occurring fructose is (-) isomer with D- configuration.

• The L (+) from either exists in minor amount along with D (-) form or synthesised through various chemical reactions.

The correct answer is Apple.

Key Points

• Fruits are the ripened ovary of the flower.
• It can True fruit or False fruit.
• There are three main types of fruits:
• Simple fruit.
• Aggregate fruit.
• Composite fruit.

Important Points

• True Fruit:
• It develops from the mature and ripened ovary after fertilization.
• The seeds develop from the ovules inside the ovary.
• The second part of the true fruit is the pericarp.
• It is the outer layer, which is edible.

Additional Information

• Simple fruit: They are the fruits that develop from a single ovary of a flower.
• ​It can be dry or fleshy.
• Aggregate Fruits: They are the fruits that are made from multicarpellary apocarpous ovary of a flower.
• It contains many ovaries fused together.
• ​E.g: Etaerio of follicles, Etaerio of achenes.
• Composite fruit: It develops from the complete inflorescence.

• Dates are true fruits, as they are formed after fertilization and derived from a ripened ovary. These are stone fruits.
• Grapes are simple fruits derived from the ripened ovary. They are berries and formed after fertilization.

The correct answer is Protein.

Important Points

• Legume is a plant in the family Fabaceae.
• Most of the legumes have symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules.
• These symbiotic bacteria which are known as Rhizobia reside within their root nodules.
• Rhizobia invade the legume root hairs and reside in nodules.
• Effective nodulation and nitrogen fixation depend on favorable interactions between the plant & Rhizobium
• These bacteria are helpful in fixing nitrogen from atmospheric i.e: molecular nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3).
• The root nodules are sources of nitrogen for legumes, making them rich in plant proteins.
• As all proteins contain nitrogenous amino acids.
• So, nitrogen is a crucial ingredient in the production of proteins.
• Hence, legumes are one of the best sources of plant protein.
• There are many varieties of legumes.
• Some of them are Kidney beans. Pinto beans.Soybeans.Chickpeas & lentils.
• Legumes contain fibre, protein, carbohydrate, B vitamins, iron, copper, magnesium etc.
• Health Benefits of Legumes:
• Legumes are an excellent source of resistant starch which is broken down by bacteria in the large intestine to produce short-chain fatty acids.
• These fatty acids are used by intestinal cells for energy.
• They are naturally:
• Low in fat.
• Free of saturated fat.
• Cholesterol free.
• Low in glycemic index.
• Legumes play an important role in the prevention and management of a variety of health conditions.
• Legumes are used for rotation farming with cereals.
• They supply nitrogen to the cereal crops.

Additional Information

• The Fabaceae or Leguminosae is known as the legume, pea, or bean family.
• ​It comes under the Plantae kingdom.
• The legume family (Fabaceae) is the third-largest family of flowering plants with more than 18,000  species.
• It is composed of a single seed-bearing carpel that splits open along two seams.

The correct answer is Flower bud.

Important Points

• Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) are aromatic dried flower buds.
• It relates to the family Myrtaceae.
• The clove tree is an evergreen that grows to a height ranging from 8–12 m.
• It has large leaves and flowers.
• The flower buds are at first in a pale colour & then green.
• When they are ready to be plucked, their colours change to bright red.
• Cloves are harvested when 1.5–2 cm long, and consist of a long calyx, terminating in four spreading sepals, and four unopened petals which form a small ball in the centre.
• The buds are hand-picked in late summer and again in winter and are then dried in sun.
• The bud contains approximately 20 per cent essential oil, the principal component of which is the aromatic oil "Eugenol".
• Cloves are strongly pungent because of eugenol.
• Oil from cloves is obtained through distillation.
• This oil is used for various purposes like:
• To prepare microscopic slides for viewing.
• As a local anaesthetic for toothaches.
• Germicides.
• Perfumes.
• Mouthwashes.
• In the synthesis of vanillin &
• As an intensifier.

Additional Information

• Myrtaceae or the myrtle family is a family of dicotyledonous plants.
• Some examples of this family: clove, guava, Acca, allspice, and eucalyptus.
• It comes under the Plantae kingdom.

The correct answer is Neetu David.

• Former India cricketer Neetu David was appointed as the head of BCCI’s All-India Women's Selection Committee in September 2020.

Important Points

• Neetu David:
• Former left-arm spinner.
• Batting style: Right-handed.
• She holds the record of the 2^nd highest wickets taker India Women Cricketer after Jhulan Goswami.
• She holds the world record for best bowling in an innings in a Test for her 8/53 against the England Women team.
• It was held in Jamshedpur in 1995.
• The last Test played: 18 February 2006 vs England.
• The parameters set for the Women’s selection committee were the following:
• The applicant ‘should have represented the Indian Women’s Cricket Team’
• The applicant ‘should have retired from cricket at least 5 years ago'.
• The selected All-India Women's Selection Committee comprises:
• Neetu David, Chairman.
• Arati Vaidya.
• Renu Margrate.
• Venkatacher Kalpana.
• Mithu Mukherjee.

Additional Information

• Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI):
• Establishment: December 4, 1928.
• Headquarters: Wankhede Stadium.
• President: Sourav Ganguly.
• Vice president: Rajeev Shukla.
• Secretary: Jay Shah.
• Men's coach: Rahul Dravid( as of Sept 2022)
• Women's coach: Ramesh Powar.
• India's women's cricket team:
• Captain: Mithali Raj.
• Team's current ranking (2021):
• World ODI: 2^nd.
• Wolrd T20I: 3^rd.

The correct answer is Naomi Osaka.

• Naomi Osaka (Japan) defeated Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) in the finals of the US Open Tennis Tournament, 2020.

Important Points

• The International Tennis Federation is the highest governing body in Tennis.
• Based in Paris.
• Established in 1913.
• Naomi Osaka (Japan):
• She had been ranked No. 1 in 2019 by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA).
• She is the first Asian player to hold the top ranking in singles.
• She has won Grand Slam singles three-time.
• Current ranking: 3.
• Other victories:
• Australian Open: Winner (2019).
• US Open: Winner (2018, 2020).

Additional Information

• Some terms related to Tennis:
• Ace, Love, Deuce, Volley, A Let, Slice, Let fault etc.​
• Types of games in Tennis:
• Singles:
• A tennis game played by two opponents.
• Doubles + Mixed Doubles:
• A match between teams of two players.

The correct answer is Shura Kitata.

• Shura Kitata (Ethiopian) defeated World record holder Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) & won London Marathon, 2020.
• In women's, Brigid Kosgei (Kenya) defended her title.

Important Points

• London Marathon:
• It was the 40^th edition of the London Marathon.
• Distance to be covered: 26.2 miles.
• It is an annual marathon event held in London.
• It was founded by athletes Chris Brasher and John Disley in 1981.
• Race Formats:
• 10km (6.21 miles).
• Half Marathon: 21.1km (13.1 miles).
• Marathon: 42.2km (26.2 miles).
• Ultra-Marathon:  > 42.2km.
• The Biggest 5 marathon races in the world: Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London and New York City.
• Eluid Kipchoge: 
• In 2016, he became the fastest ever runner at the London Marathon.
• He made a record to complete the course in a track in 2:03:05 hrs time.
• He holds the world record for the event of 2:01:39 hrs time which he ran in Berlin in 2018.
• Marathon entered the Olympics in 1896.
• The marathon was instituted in commemoration of the Greek soldier Pheidippides.
• He was a messenger from the Battle of Marathon to Athens, who reported the victory.

Additional Information

• Shura Kitata (Ethiopian):
• He won the race in a time of 2:05:41.
• He won a silver medal in both New York & London marathon in 2018.
• Vincent Kipchumba (Kenya):
• He won:
• Adana Half Marathon (2019).
• Vienna City Marathon (2019).
• Amsterdam Marathon (2019).
• Runner up in London Marathon (2020) in 2:05:42.

The correct answer is Suresh Raina.

• Former Captain of the Indian Cricket team, M. S. Dhoni along with Suresh Raina announced his retirement on 15^th August 2020.

Important Points

• M . S. Dhoni:
• Former Captain of Indian Cricket team.
• Batting: Right-handed.
• Bowling: Right-arm medium.
• Role: Wicket-keeper batsman.
• Test debut: 2005 vs Sri Lanka. Last Test: 2014 vs Australia.
• ODI debut: 2004 vs Bangladesh. Last ODI: 2019 vs New Zealand.
• T20I debut: 2006 vs South Africa. Last T20I: 2019 vs Australia.
• He has conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in The Territorial army 2011.
• He captained the Indian national team from 2007 to 2017 & in Test cricket from 2008 to 2014.
• Exclusive victories under his captaincy:
• 2007 ICC World Twenty20.
• 2010 & 2016 Asia Cups.
• 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup &
• 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
• IPL Team: Cheenai Super Kings.
• He was also the first wicket-keeper to effect 100 stumpings in ODI cricket.
• He is the third captain (the first non-Australian) to win 100 matches.
• He is the fourth Indian to reach 10,000 ODI runs after Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly & Rahul Dravid.
• Suresh Raina:
• Test debut: 2010 v Sri Lanka. Last Test: 2015 v Australia.
• ODI debut: 2005 v Sri Lanka. Last ODI: 2018 v England.
• T20I debut: 2006 v South Africa. Last T20I: 2018 v England.
• He was a left-handed middle-order batsman & an off-spin bowler.
• Captaincy:
• In 2011, India tour West Indies.
• In 2014, India tour Bangladesh.
• He is the third batsman in the world and the first Indian to hit the T20I century.
• He is the first Indian batsman to score centuries in all three formats of the match.
• He is the only Indian cricket player to score centuries in both T20I and ODI World Cup.
• IPL Team: Cheenai Super Kings.

The correct answer is Paresh Rawal.

Important Points

• The National School of Drama is one of the magnificent theatre training institutions in the world.
• It is only one of its kind in India.
• Chairperson: Shri Paresh Rawal (2020- As of February 2021).
• It was established by the Sangeet Natak Akademi as one of its constituent units in 1959.
• It became a sovereign institution in 1975 when it was registered as an autonomous organization under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860.
• It is completely financed by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
• Bharat Rang Mahotsav, or the 'National Theatre Festival' which was instituted in 1999, is the annual theatre festival of the National School of Drama.
• It is held in New Delhi.
• It is acknowledged as the largest theatre festival in Asia.
• The Sangeet Natak Academy:
• It was established by a resolution in 1952 as the National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama.
• It was inaugurated by the first President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad on the 28^th of January, 1953.
• It is presently an Autonomous Body of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
• It gets funded by the Government for the implementation of schemes and programmes to preserve arts.
• Awards by the Sangeet Natak Academy:
• ​The Sangeet Natak Academy Awards (1953).
• The Academy Fellowship.
• Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar (2006).
• Tagore Ratna and Tagore Puraskar.

Additional Information

• Paresh Rawal:
• Chairperson: National School of Drama.
• Lok Sabha M.P from Ahmedabad East constituency (2014 to 2019).
• 2014: Padma Shri (the fourth highest civilian award in India).
• 1994: National Film Awards.

The correct answer is Dr Samir V Kamat

Important Points

• ​DRDO is the Research & Development wing of the Ministry of Defence, Govt of India.
• ​Chairman, DRDO: Dr Samir V Kamat
• It was established in 1958.
• It came into existence after the merger of the Technical Development Establishment (TDEs), Indian Army & the Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO).
• It works with the objective of empowering India with groundbreaking defence technologies.
• It works on a vision to achieve self-reliance in defence technologies and systems & equipping Indian armed forces with state-of-the-art weapon systems and equipment.
• It has developed various strategic systems and platforms such as:
• Agni and Prithvi series of missiles.
• Designing of Light combat aircraft, Tejas.
• Multi-barrel rocket launcher, Pinaka.
• BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
• Air defence system, Akash.
• A wide range of radars and electronic warfare systems etc.
• The Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) was managed by DRDO.
• Under this missile development programme, most of India's missiles have been made.
• Popular projects of DRDO:
• SAAW: Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon.
• Biodigester Mk II technology in metro rail.
• SAHAYAK-NG: India’s first indigenous Air Dropped Container.
• ASTRA Mk-I Missile, IMSAS and BOSS System.
• Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System.
• Varunastra, a heavyweight Torpedo.
• Anti-Satellite Missile system.
• Advanced Version of Pinaka Rocket.
• ‘Dare to Dream 2.0’: It was launched by DRDO on the 5^th Death Anniversary of the former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
• ATULYA: Microwave sterilizer to disintegrate COVID-19 was developed.
• Current Chairman of DRDO: Samir Kamat (Appointed on 25^th Aug 2022)

Additional Information

• Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO: Dr G. Satheesh Reddy
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Minister responsible: Rajnath Singh, Minister of Defence.
• Nodal agency: Ministry of Defence.
• Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme:
• The project started in 1982–83 under the leadership of Late Dr Abdul Kalam.
• Former Indian President Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam is known as "the father of the country's military missile programme".
• He served as the 11^th President of India from 2002 to 2007.

The correct answer is Medical Sciences.

Important Points

Key Points

• The ‘Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) Prize for Science and Technology’ is named after the founder Director of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) India, the late Dr Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar.
• The Prize is given each year for outstanding contributions to science and technology.
• The Prize comprises Rs 5,00,000 (Rupees five lakh only).
• This award is conferred annually for notable contribution in the following disciplines:
• Biological Sciences.
• Chemical Sciences.
• Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Sciences.
• Engineering Sciences.
• Mathematical Sciences.
• Medical Sciences.
• Physical Sciences.
• First awarded: 1958.
• The objective of the award is to recognise magnificent Indian work in the field of science and technology.
• Eligibility:
• Any Indian citizen engaged in research in any field of science and technology up to the age of 45 years.
• An overseas citizen of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) working in India are also eligible.
• This award is based on contributions made through work done mostly in India during the last five years.
• The names of the recipients are made public on 26 September by the Director-General, CSIR.
• It is the foundation Day of CSIR.
• The Prizes are awarded by Hon'ble  Prime Minister of India.

Additional Information

• Dr Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar:
• Also known as 'father of research laboratories in India'.
• He was the Founder Director & first Director-General of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR).
• Other Appointments:
• The first Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
• Secretary, Ministry of Education and Educational Adviser of Government.
• The first Secretary to the Ministry of Natural Resource & Scientific Research.
• Secretary of Atomic Energy Commission.
• Awards & Honours:
• 1936: Order of the British Empire (OBE).
• 1941: Conferred with the title of Knight.
• 1943: Fellow of Royal Society, London.
• 1954: Padma Vibhushan.
• The prestigious award "Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) Prize for Science & Technology" was instituted in his honour.
• CSIR(Council of Scientific & Industrial Research):
• Established: 26 September 1942.
• Founders: Arcot Ramaswamy Mudaliar & Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar.
• Director-General: Nallathamby Kalaiselvi
• Parent institution: Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India.
• President: Prime Minister of India.

The correct answer is The World Food Programme.

Key Points

Noble Prize 2020

Important Points

• The Nobel Prizes are given in the memory of Alfred Bernhard Nobel (1833-1896).
• He was a Swedish chemist & Engineer.
• His discoveries are the following:
• Nitroglycerin (1860).
• Dynamite (1866).
• Blasting Gelatin (1875).
• Ballistite (1887).
• Originally, the Nobel Prize was awarded for works in 5 disciplines that are:
• Peace, Physics, Chemistry, Medicine & Literature.
• The first prize was given in 1901.
• The Prize for Economics was instituted in 1968 by a Swedish bank. It was awarded first time in 1969.
• The award comprises a Gold Medal, Diploma, extension in Swiss visa & passport & 8 million Swedish Krona.
• The awards can be given to a maximum of three persons in the same field at the same time.
• It is not awarded posthumously.
• It was not awarded between 1940 to 1942 due to the outbreak of World War II.

The correct answer is Ayushmann Khurrana.

Important Points

• "THE TIME" releases the list of the '100 Most Influential People ' that features those persons who have had the most impact in that year.
• The list comprises 5 categories:
• PIONEERS.
• ARTISTS.
• LEADERS.
• TITANS.
• ICONS.
• 5 Indians in Time's '100 most influential people of 2020' list:
• PM Modi has been kept under the ‘Leaders’ category.
• Ravindra Gupta, a professor of clinical microbiology at Cambridge University, was under the ‘Pioneers’ category.
• Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai was put into the category of ‘Titans’.
• Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurana was the only actor from India who made it to the list.
• Khurrana is the youngest Indian to be featured in this year’s TIME Magazine.
• Bilkis, the Shaheen Bagh protestor in 'Icons'.
• Ayushmann Khurrana:
• He is an Indian actor, poet, singer & television host.
• Awards:
• 2007: Bharat Nirman Awards.
• 2019: National Film Awards for 'Andhadhun'.
• 2020: Mentioned in Time's '100 most influential people of 2020' list.

Additional Information

• Time magazine:
• Time is a weekly news magazine and news website.
• It was first published in New York City on March 3, 1923.
• Editor-in-chief: Edward Felsenthal.
• Headquarters: New York City.
• Country: United States.
• Special Editions & lists:
• Person of the Year:
• It is an annual issue that features a person, a group, an idea, or an object that "for better or for worse... has done the most to influence the events of the year".
• Time 100:
• It is an annual listing of the 100 most influential people in the world, published by the American news magazine "Time".
• Started in 2004.
• The 25 Most Influential People on the Internet (2015).
• Time 100 Next list (2019).
• Former US President Barack Obama & Chinese Premiere Xi Jinping got mentioned in 'the 100 most influential people in the world' for maximum times i.e: 11 times.
• PM Narendra Modi got mentioned 4 times i.e: 2020, 2017, 2015 & 2014.

The correct answer is Eight

• 12 Indian beaches have been awarded the prestigious ‘Blue Flag’ certification by an international jury comprising members of the following organizations:
• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
• World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

Important Points

• The ‘Blue Flag’ certification:
• It is a certification that is given to a beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator.
• It also serves as an eco-label.
• The certification indicates their high environmental and quality standards.
• It is awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education, an NGO based in Denmark.
• It puts strict environmental, educational, safety-related & access-related parameters that applicants must achieve and maintain.
• It was instituted in France in 1985 and for nations out of Europe in 2001.
• It is awarded annually to beaches of FEE member countries.
• Forty-seven countries currently participate in this program.
• 4,671 beaches, marinas, and boats have this certification (as of January 2021).
• It promotes sustainable development in freshwater & marine areas.
• Criteria to get Blue Flag Certification:
• It has four main criteria which are the following:
• Water quality.
• Environmental management.
• Environmental education.
• Safety.
• Countries with the highest number of Blue Flag Beaches:
• Spain: 578, the highest number of Blue Flag beaches.
• Turkey: 436.
• Greece: 395.
• France: 394.
• Italy: 342.

Additional Information

• India now has 12 Blue Flag beaches.
• This is another recognition of India’s commitment to protect and conserve the pristine coastal and marine ecosystems through holistic management of the resources.
• Two more Indian Beaches
• Kovalam in Tamil Nadu and
• Eden in Puducherry.
• The Foundation for Environmental Education:
• It is a non-profit organisation that promotes sustainable development through environmental education.
• It runs five programmes to fulfil its objective: Blue Flag.Eco-Schools.Young Reporters for the Environment.Learning about Forests Green Key.
• Headquarters: Copenhagen, Denmark.
• Founded: 1981.
• Main organ: General Assembly.
• IUCN:
• It is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
• Headquarters: Gland, Switzerland.
• Founder: Julian Huxley.
• Founded: 1948.
• World Tourism Organization:
• It is a special agency of the United Nations.
• It is delegated to promote responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.
• Headquarters: Madrid, Spain.
• Founded: 1975.
• Parent organization: United Nations.
• Member States: 160.
• India joined in 1975.
• The United Nations Environment Programme:
• It is responsible for managing environmental issues within the United Nations members.
• Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya.
• Founder: Maurice Strong.
• Founded: 1972.
• Member States: 193.

The correct answer is Samyukta Socialist Party.

Key Points

• Ram Vials Paswan started his political career with Samyukta Socialist Party.
• He was elected to Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1969.
• Later, he joined Lok Dal in 1974 and became its secretary.
• He first entered the Lok Sabha in 1977, as a Janata Party member from the Hajipur constituency.
• He elected again in 1980, 1989, 1991 (from Rosaro), 1996, 1998, 1999, 2004 and 2014.

​

Additional Information

• He formed Lok Janshakti Party in 2000.
• Paswan died on 8 October 2020.
• Now Lok Jansahakti Party is headed by his son Chirag Paswan.

The correct answer is 25^th September 2020.

Key Points

• The Election Commission of India has announced a schedule for General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Bihar 2020 on September 25, 2020.

Additional Information

• Important Dates of ECI are as follows
• First Phase
• Date of Issue of Gazette Notification - 1 Oct 2020
• Last Date of Nominations - 8 Oct 2020
• Date of Poll - 20 Oct 2020
• Second Phase
• Date of issue of gazette notification - 9 Oct 2020
• Last date of notification - 16 Oct 2020
• Date of Poll - 3 Nov 2020
• Third Phase
• Date of issue gazette notification - 13 Oct 2020
• Date of Poll - 7 Nov 2020

The correct answer is Bihar.

Key Points

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched the Ghar Tak Fibre scheme along with nine highway projects worth Rs 14,000 crores via video-conferencing.
• The Ghar Tak Fibre scheme is likely to connect 45,945 villages of Bihar through optical fibre internet service.
• The Ghar Tak Fiber scheme is also likely to boost the local employment generation with the implementation of Bharat Net initiative which will be done by recruiting local workers.

Additional Information

• The Ghar Tak Fibre project will be jointly executed by the Department of Telecom (DoT), Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology and Common Service Centres (CSC).
• On the same day, nine highway projects involve a road length of about 350 kilometers at a cost of Rs 14,258 crore are announced.

The correct answer is Eleventh Lok Sabha.

Key Points

• Raghuvansh Prasad Singh represented the Vaishali constituency of Bihar in Lok Sabha.
• Raghuvansh Prasad Singh has represented the Vaishali constituency from Bihar in Lok Sabha consecutively for five terms.
• He has been in the Union cabinet for three terms.

Additional Information

• In Bihar Vidhan Sabha, he has represented the Belsand constituency five times.
• Recently, he died from complications of COVID-19 on 13 September 2020 at the age of 74.

The correct answer is China.

Key Points

• Quadrilateral Security Dialogue
• It is also known as QUAD or Asian NATO.
• It consists of four Indo-Pacific partners which are-
• India
• USA
• Japan
• Australia
• It is an inter-governmental security forum established in 2007-08.

Additional Information

• The forum was initiated as a dialogue in 2007 by then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, with the support of Vice President Dick Cheney of the US, Prime Minister John Howard of Australia, and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India.
• QUAD aims to create a free, open, and prosperous Indo Pacific region.

The correct answer is Prahlad Singh Patel.

Key Points

• Prahlad Singh Patel addressed in 5^th BRICS Culture Ministers Meeting held under Chairpersonship of Russian Federation on September 2020.
• Prahlad Singh Patel is an Indian politician who is the current Minister of State for Culture, Tourism of India.
• He was elected from Damoh of Madhya Pradesh in the 2019 election in Lok Sabha.
• The National Gallery of Modern Arts, New Delhi will host the BRICS Joint Exhibition titled ‘Bonding Regions & Imagining Cultural Synergies’ under the auspices of the BRICS Alliance of Art Museums and Galleries. The exhibition is proposed to be organized in 2021 coinciding with the BRICS event that India would be hosting in 2021.

Additional Information

• ​BRICS
• The BRICS nations have met annually at formal summits since 2009.
• Russia hosted the recent 12^th BRICS summit on 17 November 2020.
• During the Sixth BRICS Summit in Fortaleza (2014) the leaders signed the Agreement establishing the New Development Bank (NDB).
• Contingent Reserve Arrange of BRICS - it was also formed in Fortaleza Summit and initial total committed corpus was 100 billion US $$.

The correct answer is Vietnam.

Key Points

• The 36^th (ASEAN) Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit held in Vietnam under Vietnamese PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
• Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN was the theme of this summit.
• The main focus of the summit was on Covid19 epidemic response, post-pandemic recovery, and further cooperation with partners.
• The ASEAN is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten countries in Southeast Asia.

Additional Information

• ASEAN was created on 08 August 1967 by Bangkok Declaration.
• Members of ASEAN are following
• Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
• Its secretariat is located in Jakarta.
• Aim - One vision, One Identity, One community

The correct answer is Singapore.

Key Points

• Human Capital Index, 2020
• Title of the report - The Human Capital Index 2020 Update: Human Capital in the time of Covid 19.
• Singapore top the list with a score of .088.
• Hongkong ranked second with a score of 0.81.
• Japan ranked third with a score of 0.80
• India ranked 116^th with a score of .49.

Additional Information

• Human Capital Index
• Released by World Bank.
• Human Capital Project is a part of the World Development Report of the World Bank.
• The HCI has three components
• Survival - As measured by under-5 mortality rates
• Expected years of Quality-Adjusted School
• Health environment - Using two proxies of (a) adult survival rates and (b) the rate of stunting for children under age 5.

The correct answer is Donald Trump's re-election campaign.

Key Points

• Operation MAGA was a series of in-person and virtual events to be held throughout this month the November 3 election of US President.
• Donald Trump has launched 'Operation MAGA', which it describes as "a full marshalling of top-level surrogates, campaign coalitions and Trump supporters" to rally behind the president until he can return to the trail.
• Operation MAGA, which is the acronym for Make America Great Again.

Additional Information

US Presidential Elections 2020

• They were the 59^th Presidential elections of the US President.
• Nominee for Presidents were- Donald Trump from Republican Party and Joe Biden from Democratic Party.
• Joe Biden elected as 46^th President of the USA.
• The inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46^th president of the United States took place on January 20, 2021.

The correct answer is the United Arab Emirates.

Key Points

• The Barakah nuclear power plant is the first nuclear power station in the Arabian Peninsula.
• The total capacity of this Power plant is 5600 MW.
• Nuclear power plants in India (Operation)
• Tarapur, Maharashtra
• Rawatbhata, Rajasthan
• Kakrapar, Gujarat
• Narora, Uttar Pradesh
• Kaiga, Karnataka

Additional Information

• The United Arab Emirates is a country in Western Asia located at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula.
• It borders Saudi Arabia and Oman and has maritime borders in the Persian Gulf with Iran and Qatar.

The correct answer is Egypt.

Key Points

• Egypt was the first Arab state to sign a peace deal with Israel in 1979.
• The treaty was signed in Washington, D.C., the United States on 26 March 1979, following the 1978 Camp David Accords.
• The Egypt–Israel treaty was signed by Egyptian president Anwar Sadat and Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin and witnessed by United States president Jimmy Carter.
• Jordon signed a peace pact with Israel in 1994.

Additional Information

• Abraham Accord
• It is signed between Isreal, UAE, and Bahrain.
• It is the 1^st Arab-Israel peace deal in 26 years.
• The deal between the UAE and Israel represented a significant breakthrough in diplomatic relations between the two nations as the Trump administration works to facilitate cooperation between Arab nations and Israel.

The correct answer is India.

Key Points

• India has assumed the Chairmanship of the Governing Body of (ILO) 2020 International Labour Organization.
• From October 2020 to June 2021, Apurva Chandra the Secretary (Labour and Employment) has been elected as the Chairperson of the Governing Body of the International labor organization (ILO).
• The International Labour Organisation was founded in October 1919.
• The headquarters of the organization is in Geneva, Switzerland.

Additional Information

• The Organisation has 187 member states.
• The ILO received the Noble Peace Prize in 1969.
• It is the oldest and first specialized agency of the UN.

The correct answer is to boost the security of women passengers in trains.

Key Points

• The project, Operation my Saheli was launched by the South Eastern Railways.
• The pilot version of the project Operation my Saheli has been introduced in 3 trains since 18^th September 2020.
• The three trains are
• Howrah - Ahmedabad Special
• Howrah -Yesvantpur Duronto Special
• Howrah - Mumbai Special
• The operation is executed under the Framework of Nirbhaya Fund.

Additional Information

• No additional expenditure is provided to this operation by the head of Railways.
• Also, the Railway Protection Force is a force under the Railway Protection Force Act, 1957 for Passenger security and for railway property security.

The correct answer is Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Key Points

• On the occasion of the Fit India Movement's first anniversary, PM Shri Narendra Modi said Fitness Ki Dose, Aadha Ghanta Roz.
• It means to devote half an hour daily to fitness.
• The event is celebrated on 29 August on the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand.
• It is also known as National sports day.
• On this occasion honored the eminent athletes from various sports with the prestigious Khel Ratna, Dronacharya Awards, Arjuna Awards, and Dhyan Chand Award by President of India.

Additional Information

• Major Dhyan Chand awarded from Padma Bhushan in 1956.
• He is also known by the name The Wizard or The Magician.

The correct answer is One hundred rupees coin.

Key Points

• Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia is popularly known as Rajmata of Gwalior.
• Vijaya Raje Scindia had started her political career from the Congress and later joined the Swatantrata Party before becoming a member of the Jana Sangh Read.
• Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi a biography of Vijaya Raje Scindia has been written by the writer Mridula Sinha in the Hindi language.

Additional Information

• Vijaya Raje Scindia 
• She was named Lekha Divyeshwari Devi at birth.
• In February 1941, She was married to Jivajirao Scindia, Maharaja of Gwalior.
• Former Chief Minister of Rajasthan Shri Vasundhara Raje Scindia is the daughter of Rajmata.

The correct answer is Arunachal Pradesh.

Key Points

• Kezang D Thongdok, the filmmaker of Arunachal Pradesh has bagged the Dada Saheb Phalke Award 2020 for a short documentary “Chi Lupo“.
• The Chi Lupo documentary described the tradition of honey hunting practiced in the Shertukpen community in which Chi means honey while Lipo means hunters.
• India's highest award in cinema is The Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

Additional Information  

• The award is presented at the National Film Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals annually.
• It is an organization set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
• The award first awarded in 1969.
• Phalke is also known as The father of Indian cinema.

The correct answer is HDFC Bank.

Key Points

• HDFC Bank has launched the e-Kisaan Dhan app across India to access a bouquet of agricultural and banking services on their mobile phones for farmers.
• The app will provide value-added services such as mandi prices, weather forecast, latest farming news, information on seed varieties, e-pashuhaat.
• EarlierHDFC Bank has disbursed over five lakh agri loans and set-up 12 Krishi Dhan Vikas Kendras.

Additional Information

• Major apps launched by banks recently are as follows

The correct answer is Delhi.

Key Points

• 6 Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport launched an on-arrivals Covid-19 testing facility for international passengers.
• This was the first such airport facility in the country.
• International passengers can now avail of an RT-PCR test and also use the waiting lounge at Terminal 3 for a total cost of Rs 5,000.
• If found negative, the passengers will be exempted from mandatory institutional quarantine and can take the connecting flight.
• Results of the RT-PCR test are to declared within 4-6 hours after collecting the sample.

Additional Information

• RT-PCR for Covid-19
• It stands for Rapid Antibody and Reverse Transcription Polymerase  Chain Reaction Test.
• RT PCR test identifies SARS CoV 2 RNA.
• In this test, RNA is converted to DNA through the process of Reverse Transcription.

The correct answer is Ambala.

Key Points

• India and France signed an inter-governmental agreement for the acquisition of 36 aircraft following clearance from the Indian Cabinet Committee on Security in September 2016.
• After this deal 6 Rafale fighter jets are received by India.
• Out of these 6 aircraft, three single-seater, and two double-seater.
• The aircraft landed at the Ambala Air Force base after covering a distance of 7,000 km from the Merignac airbase in the French port city of Bordeaux.

Additional Information

• Important fighter jets of the Indian Airforce
• Dassault Rafale - Origin from France
• Sukhoi Su-30 - Origin from Russia
• Mig-29 - Origin from Russia
• HAL Tejas - It is an Indian aircraft.
• Mirage 2000 - Origin from France.
• 8 October is observed as Indian Airforce day.
• Indian Airforce was established on 08 October 1932.

The correct answer is RUDRAM.

Key Points

• RUDRAM is an air to surface missile and is India's first indigenous anti-radiation missile.
• In Oct 2020, it was successfully launched from a Sukhoi 30 MKI jet.
• The missile can locate and target any radiation-emitting source.
• The DRDO developed the RUDRAM.
• Rudram has been developed for the IAF’s requirement to enhance its Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) capability.

Additional Information

• What is an anti-radiation missile?
• Anti Radiation missiles are designed to detect, track and neutralize the adversary's radar and other communications assets.
• It comprises an inertial navigation system - a computerized mechanism that uses changes in the object’s own position — coupled with GPS, which is satellite-based.

The correct answer is Kalibangan.

Key Points

• The Indus River Valley Civilization, 3300-1300 BCE, also known as the Harappan Civilization, extended from modern-day northeast Afghanistan to Pakistan and northwest India.
• Standard weights and measures were developed by the Indus Valley Civilization.
• From Harappan sites, cubical chert weights and several sticks with measure marks have been excavated.
• The weights exhibit a binary system.
• The ratio of weight is doubled from 1,2,4,8,16,32,64.
• The smallest weight is 0.856 gram.
• The most common weight measure of 16^th ratio weighs 13.65 grams.
• The discovery of Harappa in 1829 CE was the first indication that any such civilization existed in India.
• The Indus Valley Civilization is often separated into three phases: the Early Harappan Phase from 3300 to 2600 BCE, the Mature Harappan Phase from 2600 to 1900 BCE, and the Late Harappan Phase from 1900 to 1300 BCE.
• The two best-known excavated cities of this culture are Harappa and Mohenjo-daro (located in modern-day Pakistan), both of which are thought to have once had populations of between 40,000-50,000 people.
• Kalibangan excavations in present western Rajasthan shows a ploughed field. It means that the economy of these people must have relied largely on agriculture.
• Kalibangan site was discovered by Luigi Pio Tessitori, an Italian Indologist and linguist. During 1961-69, excavation was carried out by B. B. Lal & Balkrishna Thapar.

The correct answer is Jainism.

Key Points

• Jainism is a religion of self-help.
• People who practice Jainism believe that there are no gods or spiritual beings that would help human beings.
• The supreme principle of Jain living is non-violence (ahimsa).
• The three guiding principles of Jainism known as the 'three jewels' are right belief, right knowledge and right conduct.
• Jains believe in reincarnation and seek to attain ultimate liberation - which means escaping the continuous cycle of birth, death and rebirth so that the immortal soul lives forever in a state of bliss.
• The five great vows (mahavratas) under Jainism-
• non-violence
• non-attachment to possessions
• not lying
• not stealing
• sexual restraint (with celibacy as the ideal)
• Jains are divided into two major sects; the Digambara (meaning "sky-clad") sect and the Svetambara (meaning "white-clad") sect.
• There are 24 Tirthankaras of Jainism. The first Tirthankara was Rishabhdev and the last one was Mahavira.
• Mahavira is regarded as the man who gave Jainism its present-day form.
• The texts containing the teachings of Mahavira are called the Agamas.

The correct answer is Kanishka.

Key Points

• Buddhism is a faith that was founded by Siddhartha Gautama more than 2,500 years ago in India.
• The Basic Teachings of Buddha which are core to Buddhism are:
• The Three Universal Truths
• The Four Noble Truths
• The Noble Eightfold Path
• Six Buddhist Councils marked important turning points in the story of early Buddhism. These councils are-
• First Buddhist Council- held soon after the Mahaparinirvan of the Buddha- under the patronage of Ajatshatru.
• Second Buddhist Council- held at Vaisali- under the patronage of Kalasoka
• Third Buddhist Council- held at Pataliputra- under the patronage of King Asoka
• Fourth Buddhist Council- held at Kundalvana, Kashmir- under the patronage of Kanishka
• Fifth Buddhist Council-held in Mandalay, Burma- under the patronage of King Midon
• Sixth Buddhist Council-in Burma at Kaba Aye- under the patronage of Burmese government
• Buddhist Council and its Important Events:

The correct answer is Vaiseshika.

Key Points

• The Indian atomic theory was proposed by Maharishi Kanada who was the founder of Vaisheshika school of philosophy.
• According to Kannada, if you take a physical object and start to subdivide it into smaller and smaller pieces a time will come when you would have broken it down to an entity beyond, which it cannot be subdivided any further. This entity is what he called Paramanu or atom.
• Kannada mentioned that the atom must be invisible because it will be very small for us to be able to observe it.
• Kannada concluded that the atoms are eternal and cannot be destroyed.
• Kannada theorized that the atoms must be spherical in shape.
• He argued that since atoms are the fundamental building blocks of every material thing in this world, therefore their property must not have a directional dependence on its properties.

Additional Information

• There are six schools of philosophy developed in India with the beginning of the Christian era such as-
• Yoga
• Nyaya
• Mimansa
• Vedanta
• Vaishesikha
• Samkhya
• Vaisheshika thinkers believe that all objects of the universe are composed of five elements–earth, water, air, fire and ether.

The correct answer is Balban.

Key Points

• Ghiyas ud din Balban was the ninth sultan of the Mamluk/Slave dynasty of Delhi.
• He belonged to the famous group of 40 Turkic slaves of Iltutmish.
• His rise from the low position of a water carrier to the rank of the Sultan speaks of his extraordinary qualities.
• He is known to have reduced the power of the nobility and heightened the stature of the sultan.
• He is associated with using the policy of blood and iron.
• The policy of 'blood and iron' implied being ruthless to the enemies, use of sword, harshness and strictness and shedding blood.
• The policy employed method of violent terrorism against enemies.
• He suppressed many internal revolts and protected the Sultanate from external invasions.
• He was responsible for the dethronement of Bahram Shah and instalment of Masud as a King.

Additional Information

• Iltutmish- He was the third of the Mamluk/Slave kings who ruled the former Ghurid territories in northern India.
• Alauddin Khilji- He was an emperor of the Khalji dynasty. He instituted a number of significant administrative changes, related to revenues, price controls, and society.
• Muhammad bin Tughluq- He was the eldest son of Ghiyas-ud-Din -Tughlaq, the founder of the Tughluq dynasty. He introduced the concept of token currency.

The correct answer is Chola.

Key Points

• Chola dynasty was widely known for local self-government.
• The king was the supreme authority of the state.
• There was a Council of Ministers to help the king in the state affairs.
• The Chola kingdom was divided into several Mandalam or provinces with provincial governors.
• The Chola kings ruled their kingdom with the help of a council of ministers and of officers who were in charge of various branches of administration.
• Each Mandalam was also divided into Upamandalam or Kottams.
• Each Kottam was sub-divided into a number of districts or Nadus.
• The smallest unit of administration was the village or Tar-Kurams.
• The village committee was responsible for assessment and collection of land revenue, maintenance of law and order and other aspects of village administration.
• As we can see that Chola dynasty practised highly decentralised structure, the local self-government is evident.

The correct answer is Decorating the walls with floral designs made of semi-precious stones.

Key Points

• Pietre dura is Italian plural meaning hardstones or hard rocks.
• Pietra dura is also known as Parchin Kari or Parchin Kari.
• The term was used for the inlay technique of using cut and fitted, highly polished colored stones to create images.
• It is considered a decorative art.
• The Pietre dure art got its most popularizing time during Shahjahan's reign.
• Shahjahan used poietre dure tehcnique of arhitechture in Taj Mahal.

The correct answer is Akbar.

Key Points

• Akbar was the third Mughal Emperor of the Mughal dynasty.
• He reigned from 1556 to 1605. He gave patronage to artists and established Tasvir Khana or Karkhana for painters.

Additional Information

• Features of Mughal Period Painting 
• Two or more artists worked together-one made the Tarrah (sketch), another the ami (painting), occasionally a third did the chir Numa (portrait), and sometimes a fourth made the surat (figure drawing).
• A new technique consisting of fine, delicate line drawings, slightly tinted with washes of pale colors and gold and known as Siyahi Qalam became fashionable. ‘Emperor Shah Jahan on the Peacock Throne’ was one of the best known Mughal miniatures.

The correct answer is Robert Clive.

Key Points

• The dual government was introduced in Bengal by Robert Clive.
• The system was introduced in 1765 and it was continued till 1772.
• He was the Governor of Bengal during the year 1757-60 and from 1765-67.
• Robert Clive initiated a ‘Society of Trade’ in 1765.
• In this Dual system, the company collected revenue under Diwani Rights and Kings had the administration powers.

Additional Information

• Note that Warren Hastings abolished the dual system of government which was started by Robert Clive.
• He became the first Governor of the Presidency of Fort William (Bengal) in 1772
• Warren Hastings was Governor-General from 1773 to 1785.