BPSC Assistant 2014 Official Paper (Previous Year Paper)

The correct answer is Kishwar Desai.

Key Points

• Kishwar Desai is an Indian author and columnist.
• Her latest novel The Sea of Innocence has just been published in India.
• Her first novel, Witness the Night won the Costa Book Award in 2010 for Best First Novel and has been translated into over 25 languages.

 Additional InformationRaghu Rai:

• He is an Indian photographer and photojournalist.
• Rai was born in the village of Jhang, Punjab, British India.
• He is known for his books, Raghu Rai's India: Reflections in Colour and Reflections in Black and White.

Yuvraj Singh:

• He is a former Indian international cricketer.
• Yuvraj was a member of the Indian cricket team in One Day Internationals (ODIs) between 2000 and 2017.
• In a match against England at the 2007 World Twenty20, he famously hit six sixes in one over bowled by Stuart Broad.

Y.V Reddy:

• Yaga Venugopal Reddy  is an Indian economist and a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1964 batch belonging to Andhra Pradesh cadre.
• He served as governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• He received Padma Vibhushan in 2010.

The correct answer is Gopal Krishna Gandhi.

Key PointsGopalkrishna Devadas Gandhi:

• Gopalkrishna Devadas Gandhi  is a former administrator and diplomat who served as the 22^nd Governor of West Bengal.
• He is the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi.
• He served as Secretary to the President of India and as High Commissioner to South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Jaswant Singh:

• Jaswant Singh  was an officer of the Indian Army and an Indian Cabinet Minister.
• He was one of the founding members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Ramachandra Guha:

• He is an Indian historian, environmentalist, writer and public intellectual whose research interests include social, political, contemporary, environmental and cricket history, and the field of economics.
• He is an important authority on the history of modern India.

K. N. Panikkar:

• He  is an Indian historian, associated with the Marxist school of historiography.
• K. N. Panikkar has written and edited a number of books, including A Concerned Indian’s Guide to Communalism and the ICHR volume on Towards Freedom, 1940: A Documentary History of the Freedom Struggle.

The correct answer is Not me but you.

Key PointsNational Service Scheme:

• NSS is a Central Sector Scheme that was launched in 1969.
• The objective of developing the personality and character of the student youth through voluntary community service.
• The ideology of NSS is inspired by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi.
• Its Motto is Not me but You.
• It is being implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Additional InformationActivities undertaken by NSS:

• National Integration Camp
• Shramdaan
• Blood donation
• Immunisation
• Plantation
• Disaster Management
• Adventure programs.

The correct answer is Indira Gandhi.

Key PointsBharatiya Mahila Bank:

• BMB was an Indian investment bank located in Mumbai.
• On 19 November 2013, former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh launched the system on the 96^th anniversary of former Indian PM Indira Gandhi's birthday.
• Its objective is to focus on the banking needs of the women and promote economic empowerment.
• It also seeks to address the gender related issues and will be helpful in financial inclusion.

Headquarter of Bharatiya Mahila Bank is located in New Delhi.

Additional InformationIndira Gandhi:

• In 1950s, she serves as the President of the Indian National Congress.
• In January 1966, Indira Gandhi became the first and only female Prime Minister of India to date.
• She nationalised 14 largest banks in India in 1969.
• In 1971, 'Garibi Hatao' was the slogan for Indira Gandhi's political bid in response to the opposition's slogan as 'Indira Hatao'.

Kasturba Gandhi:

• Kasturbai Mohandas Gandhi was an Indian political activist.
• She was married to Mohandas Gandhi, more commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi, in 1883.

Sonia Gandhi:

• She is an Indian politician.
• She is the longest serving president of the Indian National Congress, a social democratic political party.
• Spouse: Rajiv Gandhi

The correct answer is President gives assent to National Food Security Bill, 2013 in September.

Key PointsNational Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013

• Notified on: 10^th September, 2013.
• Objective: To provide for food and nutritional security in the human life cycle approach, by ensuring access to adequate quantities of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity.
• Coverage: 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population for receiving subsidized foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
• Overall, NFSA caters to 67% of the total population.

Eligibility:

• Priority Households to be covered under TPDS, according to guidelines by the State government.
• Households covered under existing Antyodaya Anna Yojana.

Provisions:

• 5 Kgs of foodgrains per person per month at Rs. 3/2/1 per Kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains.
• The existing AAY household will continue to receive 35 Kgs of foodgrains per household per month.
• Meal and maternity benefit of not less than Rs. 6,000 to pregnant women and lactating mothers during pregnancy and six months after the child birth.
• Meals for children upto 14 years of age.
• Food security allowance to beneficiaries in case of non-supply of entitled foodgrains or meals.
• Setting up of grievance redressal mechanisms at the district and state level.

The correct answer is Rajasthan.

Key Points

Rajasthan state was the first to establish Panchayati Raj System in India.

• The Panchayat Raj system was first adopted by the state of Rajasthan in Nagaur district on 2 Oct 1959 but was first started by Andhra Pradesh.
• During the 1950s and 60s, other state governments adopted this system as laws were passed to establish panchayats in various states.
• The modern Panchayati Raj system was introduced in India by the 73^rd constitutional amendment in 1993.
• although it is based upon the historical Panchayati raj system of the Indian subcontinent and is also present in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
• It states that this part does not apply to the states of Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram.

Additional Information Panchayati Raj :

• Panchayati Raj is the system of local self-government of villages in rural India as opposed to urban and suburban municipalities.
• It consists of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) through which the self-government of villages is realized.
• They are tasked with "economic development, strengthening social justice and implementation of Central and State Government Schemes including those 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule."
• Part IX of the Indian Constitution is the section of the Constitution relating to the Panchayats.
• It stipulates that in states or Union Territories with more than two million inhabitants there are three levels of PRIs:
• the Gram Panchayats at village level
• the Ksetra Panchayats at block level and
• the District Panchayats at district level.

The correct answer is October-November, 2013.

Key Points

• Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan visited India in October-November, 2013.
• It comes 53 years after Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko first visited India as the crown prince and princess in 1960.
• At the time, they were hosted by the first leaders of independent India – President Rajendra Prasad, Vice President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Additional Information

• Japan is an island country in East Asia.
• Capital: Tokyo
• Prime minister: Fumio Kishida

Shinzo Abe:

• He was a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan.
• Abe was assassinated on 8 July 2022 while delivering a campaign speech in Nara.

India-Japan initiatives

• Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI)
• Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA)
• Special Strategic and Global Partnership
• Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

Defence exercises:

• JIMEX- bilateral naval exercise
• SHINYU Maitri- bilateral air force exercise
• Dharma Guardian- bilateral army exercise
• Malabar- QUAD naval exercise

The correct answer is Girivraj (Rajgrih)

Key PointsThe ancient city of Pataliputra was founded in the 5^th century BCE by Udayin, king of Magadha (South Bihar). 

• Udayin was the Indian ruler of the Haryanaka dynasty who ruled over Magadha from 460 BCE to 440 BCE.
• He was the son of Ajatashatru and the grandson of king Bimbisara.
• King Udayin laid the foundation of the city of Pataliputra at the confluence of two rivers, the Sone and the Ganges.
• He shifted his capital from Rajgriha to Patliputra because of the latter's central location in the Magadha empire.

 

Important Points

• In Ancient history, in the 6^th century BC, North Indian provinces were divided into seven kingdoms out of which Avanti, Kosla, Vatsa, and Magadha.
• Among which Magadha rose as an emerging power defeating other surrounding provinces.
• Also, Magadha was a good center for trade and fertile land.
• The first dynasty ruled over Magadha was the Haryanaka Dynasty whose prominent rulers were Bimbisara and Ajatshatru.
• Bimbisara made Rajagriha as the capital.

The correct answer is Third.

Key Points 

• The 3^rd Buddhist council was held in 250 BC.
• Venue: Ashoka Rama Vihar, Patliputra
• Chairman: Moggaliputta Tissa
• Patron: Ashoka (Maurya Dynasty)
• Result: (i) Compilation of Mahavibhasa Sastra (ii) the division of Buddhists into Hinayanists.

Additional Information 

The correct answer is Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

Key Points 

• The constituent assembly was set up on 6^th December 1946.
• It was formed under the provisions of the cabinet mission plan.
• The constitution of India was framed by the constituent assembly.
• It takes 2 years 11 months and 18 days to frame the constitution of India.
• The first meeting of the constituent assembly was held on 9^th December 1946.
• Dr. Sachidanda Sinha was elected as the temporary president of the assembly during its first meeting.
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent president of the constituent assembly on 11^th December 1946.
• H C Mukharjee was the vice president of the constituent assembly.
• B. N Rao was the constitutional advisor of the constituent assembly.

Additional Information 

• Dr.B. R. Ambedkar was the chairman of the drafting committee.
• Jawaharlal Nehru introduced the objective resolution in the constituent assembly on 13^th December 1946.
• He was the chairman of the union constitution committee.
• Sardar Patel was the chairman of the committee on fundamental rights and minorities.

The correct answer is Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

• The Drafting Committee of the Constitution was chaired by Dr. B.R Ambedkar.
• B. R. Ambedkar was a wise constitutional expert, he studied the constitutions of about 60 countries.
• Ambedkar is recognized as the "Father of the Constitution of India".

Key Points 

• The drafting committee was entrusted with the responsibility to prepare the Draft constitution.
• The drafting committee was set up on 29 August 1947 under the chairmanship of Dr. B R Ambedkar.
• The constituent assembly took 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days to frame the constitution.
• There were 22 parts, 395 articles, and 8 schedules in the original constitution.
• The constitution had got ready on 26^th November 1949 and some provisions relating to Citizenship, Elections, provisional parliament, and temporary & transitional provisions were given immediate effect.
• The rest of the constitution came into force on 26 January 1950.

Important Points 

• 26 January 1930 marked the “Poorna Swarajya“ resolution of the Indian National Congress under Jawahar Lal Nehru and so the date was chosen in 1950 to be our republic day.
• It must be noted that the idea of the constituent assembly was not of congress.
• The idea was put forward by MN Roy in 1934.
• The idea put forward by MN Roy was officially raised by Congress in 1935 and the British Government accepted this demand.
• This demand of constituent assembly was accepted in the August offer of 1940.

The correct answer is Jai Prakash Narayan.

Key Points

• Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan was born on 11 October 1902 in Sitabadiyara, Bihar.
• Jayaprakash Narayan is popularly known as JP or Lok Nayak.
• He was an Indian independence activist, theorist, socialist and political leader.
• He is also known as the "Hero of Quit India Movement".
• JP Narayan is best known for opposing former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
• It is said that Indira Gandhi's power was snatched away from her after the "JP movement" and gave the famous slogan "Sinhaasan khaali karo ki janta aati hai".
• In 1948, he led the Socialist Party of the Congress and later formed the Samajwadi Socialist Party in association with the Gandhian Party.

The correct answer is Metamorphic.

Key PointsMetamorphic Rocks:

• The word metamorphic means ‘change of form’.
• Metamorphism is a process by which recrystallisation and reorganisation of minerals occur within a rock.
• This occurs due to pressure, volume and temperature changes.
• When rocks are forced down to lower levels by tectonic processes or when molten magma rising through the crust comes in contact with the crustal rocks, metamorphosis occurs.
• In the process of metamorphism in some rocks grains or minerals get arranged in layers or lines. Such an arrangement is called foliation or lineation.
• Sometimes minerals or materials of different groups are arranged into alternating thin to thick layers. Such a structure in is called banding.
• Gneissoid, slate, schist, marble, quartzite etc. are some examples of metamorphic rocks.

Additional InformationIgneous Rocks:

• It is formed out of magma and lava from the interior of the earth.
• They are also known as primary rocks.
• When magma in its upward movement cools and turns into a solid form it is called igneous rock.
• The process of cooling and solidification can happen in the crust of the earth or on the surface of the earth.
• Igneous rocks are classified based on texture.
• Examples of igneous rocks:
• Granite, Gabbro, Pegmatite, Basalt, Volcanic, Breccia,Tuff.

Sedimentary Rocks

• Rocks of the earth’s surface area exposed to denudation agents and are broken up into various sizes of fragments.
• These fragments are carried by various exogenous agencies and deposited.
• These deposits through compaction turn into rocks. This process is called lithification.
• In several sedimentary rocks, the layers of deposits maintain their characteristics even after lithification.
• Sandstone, shale are some of the examples for Sedimentary Rocks.

Depending upon the mode of formation, sedimentary rocks are categorized into three groups:

• Mechanically formed
• Eg: Sandstone, conglomerate, limestone, shale, loess, etc.
• Chemically formed
• Eg: Chert, limestone, halite, potash, etc.
• Organically formed
• Eg: Geyserite, chalk, limestone, coal, etc.

The correct answer is 8848 meters. 

Important Points 

• Mount Everest, Sanskrit, and Nepali Sagarmatha, Tibetan Chomolungma, Chinese (Pinyin) Zhumulangma Feng, mountain on the crest of the Great Himalayas of southern Asia that lies on the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, at 27°59′ N 86°56′ E.
• It has an elevation of 29,032 feet (8,848 meters) and is the highest mountain in the world. Hence, option 2 is the correct answer.

Additional Information 

• Mount Everest has long been revered by local people.
• Its most common Tibetan name, Chomolungma, means “Goddess Mother of the World” or “Goddess of the Valley.”
• The Sanskrit name Sagarmatha means literally “Peak of Heaven.”
• Its identity as the highest point on the Earth’s surface was not recognized, however, until 1852, when the governmental Survey of India established that fact.
• In 1865 the mountain—previously referred to as Peak XV—was renamed for Sir George Everest, British surveyor general of India from 1830 to 1843.

The correct answer is Jharkhand.

Key Points 

• Jharkhand has the largest reserves of coal in India followed by Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
• The Coal Resources of India:
• It is mainly available in older Gondwana Formations of peninsular India and younger Tertiary formations of the northeastern region.
• About 80 percent of the coal deposits in India are of the bituminous type and are of non-coking grade.
• The most important Gondwana coal fields in India are located in Damodar Valley.
• They lie in the Jharkhand-Bengal coal belt and the important coalfields in this region are Raniganj, Jharia, Bokaro, Giridih, and Karanpura.

Jharia is the largest coalfield followed by Raniganj.

• The other river valleys associated with coal are the Godavari, Mahanadi, and Sone.
• The most important coal-mining center is Singrauli in Madhya Pradesh (part of Singrauli coalfield lies in Uttar Pradesh), Korba in Chhattisgarh, Talcher, and Rampur in Odisha, Chanda-Wardha, Kamptee, and Bander in Maharashtra, and Singareni in Telangana and Pandur in Andhra Pradesh.
• Tertiary coals occur in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Nagaland. It is extracted from Darangiri, Cherrapunji, Mewlong, and Langrin (Meghalaya); Makum, Jaipur, and Nazira in upper Assam, Namchik - Namphuk (Arunachal Pradesh), and Kalakot (Jammu and Kashmir).
• The lignite reserves stand at a level of around 36 billion tons, of which 90 % occur in the southern State of Tamil Nadu.

Additional Information 

• The map depicting the highest coal reserve:

The correct answer is Bihar and Jharkhand.

Key Points

• The largest producer of mica in India is Jharkhand.
• Mica (waste and scrap) is largely produced by the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Additional Information 

• In Jharkhand, Koderma is the leading producer of Mica. It is located in the Hazaribagh belt of Jharkhand. Jharkhand is quite rich in minerals.
• The Koderma district and the Lokai-Indarwa area cover the southern part of the Great Mica-Belt of Jharkhand and Bihar.
• The mica belt stretches from Gurpa in Gaya district in the west through Nawada, Koderma, Hazaribagh, Giridih in Jharkhand and Jamui as well as Bhagalpur district of the Bihar state in the east.
• Its maximum width is about 40 km in the Koderma-Hazaribagh-Nawada area.

The correct answer is Mahanadi.

Key Points

• Hirakud Dam Project is a multipurpose project for flood control, irrigation, and power generation.
• It is built across the river Mahanadi in Odisha.
• It is the longest earthen dam in the world.
• ​Mahanadi is the longest river in Odisha.
• Mahanadi originates from a mountain range named Sihawa located in the Dhamtari district near Raipur.
• The Mahanadi river is known as the sorrow of Odisha.
• Paradeep port is located at the mouth of the Mahanadi river.

Additional Information

• Major dams built across the river Mahanadi is:
• Dudhawa Dam
• Gangrel Dam
• Sondur Dam

The correct answer is Norway.

Key Points 

• Norway country is also known as the 'Land of Midnight Sun'.
• The country, Norway has acquired the name of the Land of Midnight Sun, as Norway experiences, the natural phenomenon called the midnight sun.
• The land of the midnight sun is called so because the northern part of the country is located above the Arctic circle, where the sun shines 24 hours a day from Mid-May to Mid-July.
• From late May to late July, the sun never completely descends beneath the horizon in areas north of the Arctic Circle.
• The rest of the country experiences up to 20 hours of daylight per day.

Additional Information 

• The midnight sun is a natural phenomenon that occurs in the summer months in places north of the Arctic Circle or south of the Antarctic Circle when the sun remains visible at the local midnight.
• When the midnight sun is seen in the Arctic, the sun appears to move from left to right, but in Antarctica, the equivalent apparent motion is from right to left.
• This occurs at latitudes from 65°44' to 90° north or south, and this doesn't stop exactly at the Arctic Circle or the Antarctic Circle, due to refraction.

The correct answer is From 1918 to 2013 AD

Key Points 

• Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist who served as the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.
• Mandela was born on 18 July 1918 in the village of Mvezo in Umtata, then part of South Africa's Cape Province.
• He died on December 5, 2013, in Johannesburg.
• He was the country's first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election.

Additional Information 

• In recognition of the former South African President’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom, the UN General Assembly declared 18 July as "Nelson Mandela International Day".
• Long Walk to Freedom is an autobiography credited to South African President Nelson Mandela.
• It was ghostwritten by Richard Stengel and first published in 1994 by Little Brown & Co.
• The book profiles his early life, coming of age, education, and 27 years spent in prison.

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

• The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) emerged as a significant force in Delhi politics in these elections, and went on to form the government with the support of the Congress party.
• However, the government lasted for only 49 days before the AAP leader, Arvind Kejriwal, resigned as Chief Minister over the issue of the Jan Lokpal Bill.
• Subsequently, fresh elections were held in Delhi in 2015, in which the AAP won a sweeping victory, winning 67 out of 70 seats in the assembly.

The correct answer is Tejas.

Key Points

• Tejas fighter aircraft is expected to replace the aging MiG-21 fighter jets in the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• The MiG-21, also known as the "Flying Coffin", has been in service with the IAF for over five decades and is now considered outdated and unsafe.
• The Tejas is a fourth-generation fighter aircraft developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in India.
• It is a light-weight, multi-role combat aircraft that is designed to meet the requirements of the IAF and the Indian Navy.
• The Tejas has been in development for over three decades and has undergone extensive testing and trials.
• The IAF has already inducted a few squadrons of the Tejas aircraft, and more are expected to join the fleet in the coming years.
• The Tejas is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening the IAF's combat capabilities and in enhancing India's self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

The correct answer is Agni III.

Key PointsAgni Missiles:-

• The Agni missile class is the backbone of India's nuclear launch capability, as are Prithvi short-range ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and fighter aircraft.
• Agni-1 to 5 missiles are designed & developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Other Ranges of Agni Missiles:

• Agni I: Range of 700-800 km.
• Agni II: Range more than 2000 km.
• Agni III: Range of more than 2,500 Km
• Agni IV: Range is more than 3,500 km and can fire from a road mobile launcher.
• Agni-V: The longest of the Agni series, an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of over 5,000 km.

Wheeler Island: 

• The Integrated Test Range missile testing facility is located on Dr Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island, an island off the coast of Odisha.

Additional InformationIntegrated Guided Missile Development Programme:-

• IGMDP was the brainchild of renowned scientist Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
• It was intended to attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology.
• After keeping in mind, the requirements of various types of missiles by the defense forces, the program recognized the need to develop five missile systems.
• The IGMDP formally got the approval of the Indian government in 1983.

The missiles developed under IGMDP are:

• Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile – Prithvi
• Intermediate-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile – Agni
• Short-range low-level surface-to-air missile – Trishul
• Medium-range surface-to-air missile – Akash
• Third generation anti-tank missile – Nag

The correct answer is INS Saryu.

Key Points

• The largest offshore patrol vessel commissioned by the Indian Navy on January 21, 2013, was indeed INS Saryu.
• INS Saryu is the lead ship of the Saryu class of offshore patrol vessels, which are used for maritime surveillance, anti-piracy patrols, and other naval operations.
• It was built by the Goa Shipyard Limited and commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2013.

The correct answer is Chief economic advisor.

Key PointsCEA:

• The Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) is a post in Government of India and is equivalent to rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
• The CEA is the ex-officio cadre controlling authority of the Indian Economic Service.
• The CEA is head of Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
• The CEA reports directly to the Minister of Finance.
• Anantha Nageswaran as the new Chief Economic Advisor.

Important Points

• Raghuram Govindarajan is an Indian economist as well as the Distinguished Service Professor of Finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
• He was born on February 3, 1963.
• He served as the International Monetary Fund’s Chief Economist and Director of Research between 2003 and 2006.
• He served as the 23^rd Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from September 2013 to September 2016.

Additional InformationThe Finance Secretary:

• It is the administrative head of the Ministry of Finance.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes:

• It  is a statutory authority functioning under the Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963.
• The officials of the Board in their ex-officio capacity also function as a Division of the Ministry of Finance dealing with matters relating to levy and collection of direct taxes.
• The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is a part of the Department of Revenue in the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
• It provides essential inputs for policy and planning of direct taxes in India and is also responsible for administration of the direct tax laws through Income Tax Department.
• It is India’s official Financial Action Task Force unit.
• The Central Board of Revenue as the Department apex body charged with the administration of taxes came into existence as a result of the Central Board of Revenue Act, 1924.

SEBI:

• It is a statutory body established on April 12, 1992 in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.
• The basic functions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India is to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote and regulate the securities market.
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra.

The correct answer is Malyalam.

Key Points

• Sugatha Kumari is not a Kannada poetess but a Malayalam poetess from Kerala, India.
• She was awarded the Saraswati Samman for the year 2012 for her poetry collection titled "Manalezhuthu" (The Writing on the Sand).
• She is one of the most prominent modern poets in Malayalam literature and has made significant contributions to the field of literature, particularly poetry.

Additional Information

• Saraswati Samman is a prestigious literary award in India, which is awarded annually to an outstanding literary work written in any Indian language and published during the last 10 years.
• It is named after the Hindu goddess of learning, Saraswati.
• The Saraswati Samman was first instituted in 1991 by the K.K. Birla Foundation, a philanthropic organization based in India.
• The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 15 lakhs and a citation. The award is considered one of the most prestigious literary awards in India, and is highly coveted by Indian writers.

The correct answer is All of the above.

Key Points

• Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill passed by Lok Sabha:
• The Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 2013 was passed by the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Indian parliament) on December 18, 2013.
• The bill aims to establish an independent ombudsman (Lokpal) to investigate corruption complaints against public officials, including the Prime Minister.
• The bill had been in discussion for several years and had undergone multiple changes before it was finally passed by the Lok Sabha.
• The bill was later passed by the Rajya Sabha (the upper house) in December 2014 and received Presidential assent in January 2014.
• Death of Nelson Mandela:
• ​Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa and anti-apartheid activist, died on December 5, 2013, at the age of 95.
• Mandela was a symbol of the struggle against apartheid and his death was mourned across the world.
• Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years for his activism before he was released in 1990.
• He became the first black President of South Africa in 1994 and served until 1999.
• Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade arrested in New York:
• Devyani Khobragade, an Indian diplomat, was arrested in New York on December 12, 2013, on charges of visa fraud and underpaying her housekeeper.
• Khobragade was the Deputy Consul General of India in New York at the time of her arrest.
• The incident caused a diplomatic row between India and the United States, with India protesting against the treatment of Khobragade and the United States arguing that she had violated U.S. law.
• The case was eventually resolved through a plea bargain and Khobragade was allowed to return to India.

The correct answer is Jyotirao Phule

Key Points

• The Satya Shodhak Samaj (The Truth Seekers' society) was founded by Jyotirao Phule in Pune, Maharashtra, on 24 September 1873.
• It focussed on the uplift of the unprivileged class and focussed mainly on women, Shudras, and Dalits.

Additional Information

• Some Important Socio-religious reform organizations of 19^th century are-

Option 1 is correct, i.e. Dayanand Saraswati.

Key Points

• Dayanand Saraswati gave the slogan 'Back to the Vedas'.
• Mool Shankar was the paternal name of Swami Dayanand Saraswati.
• Swami Dayanand Saraswati was the founder of Arya Samaj and a religious leader of India.
• He was born in Tankara, Gujarat on 12 February 1824.
• He founded the Arya Samaj on 10 April 1875 in Bombay (present Mumbai).

The correct answer is Mundaka.

Key Points 

• The national motto of India Satyamev Jayate inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from Mundaka Upanishad.
• This Motto means with truth alone triumphs.
• It is written in the Devanagari script.
• Mundaka Upanishad is listed as number 5 in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.
• The opening is a poetic words style Upanishad with 64 verses written in the form of mantras.

Additional Information 

The correct answer is Xuanzang.

Key Points

• With the commencement of the 7^th century, Harshavardhana (606-647 A.D.) ascended the throne of Thaneshwar and Kannauj on the death of his brother, Rajyavardhana.
• By 612 Harshavardhana consolidated his kingdom in northern India.
• In 620 A.D. Harshavardhana invaded the Chalukya kingdom in the Deccan, which was then ruled by Pulakesin II. But the Chalukya resistance proved tough for Harshavardhana and he was defeated.
• He maintained diplomatic relations with China and sent envoys, who exchanged ideas of the Chinese rulers and developed their knowledge about each other.
• The Chinese traveller, Hiuen Tsang, also known as "Xuanzang" who visited India during his reign, has given a vivid description of the social, economic and religious conditions, under the rule of Harsha spoke highly of the king.
• Harsha's death, once again, left India without any central paramount power.

The correct answer is Kundagram.

Key Points 

• Mahavira was born into King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala.
• Mahavira was born in 540 BCE.
• Mahavira belongs to the Ikshvaku dynasty.
• Kundagrama near Vaishali is considered to be the birthplace of Mahavira.
• Mahavira got enlightened under the Sal tree on the banks of river Rijupalika in Bihar.
• Mahavira was the 24^th Tirthankara of Jain.
• Mahavira was at the age of 42 when he attained Kaivalya.
• He was enlightened after 12 years of rigorous penance.
• He died at the age of 72 in 468 BCE in Pavapuri in Bihar.​

 Additional InformationJain Councils:

Gautam Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar.

Key Points 

• Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born in Lumbini in 563 BC.
• He belonged to the Shakya dynasty, his real name was Siddhartha.
• Gautama attained enlightenment under a Peepal tree at Bodh Gaya in Bihar.
• Buddha gave his first sermon in Sarnath village near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
• This event is known as Dharma Chakra Pravartan.
• He died in 483 BCE at the age of 80 at Kushinagar in the Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh.
• This event is known as Mahaparinirvana.

Hence we can conclude that Gautam Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar.

Additional Information 

• Bodhgaya:
• ​Bodh Gaya is one of the major religious places in India
• People from every corner of the country and the world come to visit the Mahabodhi temple.
• Mahatma Buddha attained enlightenment at this place.
• In the year 2002, this city was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
• Kapilvastu:
• Kapilavastu, situated in the Lumbini district in the Terai of Nepal, is the birthplace of Gautama Buddha.
• Kapilavastu was the capital of the kingdom of Shakya king Shuddhodana, the father of Mahatma Buddha.
• Rajgira:
• Rajgir is a historical town located in the Nalanda district of the state of Bihar.
• It was the capital of the Magadha Empire.
• Rajgir was also known as Giribraj due to being surrounded by mountains from all sides.

The correct answer is Patna.

Key Points 

• The 27^th session of the Indian National Congress was held at Bankipore near Patna in 1912.
• This session was presided by Shri Raghunath Narasinha Mudholkar.

Additional Information 

• Ramgarh-:
• The 53^rd session of the Indian National Congress was held at Ramgarh near Ranchi in 1940.
• This session was presided by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
• In December 1922, the All India Congress Session was held in Gaya under the presidency of Chittaranjan Das.
• This session resultant an ideological faction in congress- one who supports the entry of the legislative council and others who opposes and supported the Gandhian path.
• CR Das, Motilal Nehru, and Ajmal Khan was a supporter of the entry of the legislative council.
• Vallabhai Patel, C Rajagopalachari, and MA Ansari were the non-supporters of the entry of the legislative council.
• Motilal Nehru and Chitranjan Das formed Swaraj Dal.
• Narayan Prasad was the first Chairman and Abdul Bari was the first Secretary.
• A branch of Swaraj Dal was formed in Bihar which was led by Srikrishna Singh.

The correct answer is 2003.

Key Points

• Maithili was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution as a recognized Indian language in 2003, which allows it to be used in education, government, and other official contexts in India.
• The Maithili language is included as an optional paper in the UPSC Exam.

Important Points 

• The Indian constitution, in 1950, declared Hindi in the Devanagari script to be the official language of the union.
• Unless Parliament decided otherwise, the use of English for official purposes was to cease 15 years after the constitution came into effect, i.e., on 26 January 1965.
• Hindi and English are used for official purposes such as parliamentary proceedings, judiciary, and communications between the Central Government and a State Government. States within India have the liberty and powers to specify their own official language(s) through legislation and therefore there are 22 officially recognized languages in India.

The correct answer is the Revolt of 1857 AD

Key Points 

• The Revolt of 1857 was also called the First War of Independence and the 'Sepoy Mutiny'.
• It was a widespread but unsuccessful revolt against British Rule from 1857-59.
• In Bihar, the revolt was led by Kunwar Singh, the zamindar of Jagdishpur.
• Babu Kunwar Singh ( 1777- 1858) was a zamindar of Jagdishpur near Arrah in the state of Bihar.
• He belonged to a royal Ujjainiya (Panwar) Rajput house of Jagdispur, currently a part of Bhojpur district, Bihar.
• He was the son of Raja Shahabzada Singh and Rani Panchratan Kunwar Devi Singh.
• At the age of 80 years, during India's first war of Independence (1857-58), he assumed command of the soldiers who had revolted at Danapur on 5 July 1857.
• He occupied Arrah which was relieved by major Eyre on 3^rd  August.

In his last battle which was fought on 23 April 1858 near Jagdishpur, Kunwar Singh had a victory over the force led by Captain Le Grand.

Additional Information 

The correct answer is Three times.

Key Points

• Bhola Paswan Shastri served as the Chief Minister of Bihar on three occasions between 1968-71.
• Bhola Paswan Shastri was an Indian freedom fighter and a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress.
• He was born on 21 September 1914 in a small village in Bihar.
• He actively participated in the Indian independence movement and was imprisoned several times by the British authorities.
• Shastri was elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1952.
• He served as a member of the assembly for several terms and also served as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
• Shastri was appointed as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the first time in 1968 and he served in this position for a brief period.
• He was reappointed as the Chief Minister two more times, first in 1969 and then in 1970.

The correct answer is Patna.

Key Points Guru Gobind Singh:-

• The tenth and the last guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh was born on 5 January 1666 in Patna, Bihar.
• ​He became a Guru at the age of 9 on 24 November 1675. He was the tenth and last Guru of Sikhism.
• He introduced the five Ks of Sikhism which refers to the 5 items that a Khalsa Sikh should wear at all times. These are as follows:​
• Kesh- uncut hair
• Kangha- a wooden comb for hair
• Kirpan- iron dagger
• Kara- an iron bracelet
• Kachera- cotton tieable undergarments

Important Points 

Sikh gurus and his works-

The correct answer is Sher Shah.

Important Points

• The tomb of Sher Shah Suri is located in Sasaram, Bihar.
• Sher Shah Suri defeated the Mughal Empire and founded the Suri Empire in northern India.
• Sher Shah Suri's tomb is an example of Indo-Islamic architecture.
• It was designed by the architect Mir Muhammad Aliwal Khan.

Additional Information

• Humayun
• Humayun's tomb is located in Delhi.
• It is the first garden tomb in the Indian subcontinent.
• It was designed by the architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyath.
• Jahangir
• Jahangir was born to Maryam-uz-Zamani and Akbar on August 30, 1569.
• He was named Sultan Muhammad Salim after Shaikh Salim Chishti of Fatehpur Sikri.
• Akbar called him Sheik Babu.
• After his coronation, he assumed the title of Nur-ud-din Muhammad Jahangir Badshah Ghazi.
• Jahangir was the only surviving son of Akbar who after his father’s death ascended the throne in 1604, at the age of 34 years.

The correct answer is Lord Canning.

Key Points

• Lord Canning (1856-1862) was the Viceroy of India during the 'Sepoy Mutiny' or the great revolt that took place.
• The Revolt of 1857 is an important landmark in India's history, which occurred during the governor generalship of Lord Canning.
• Sepoy Mutiny or First War of Independence, widespread but unsuccessful rebellion against British rule in 1857.
• Event during his regime - 
• Revolt of 1857
• Establishment of three universities at Calcutta, Madras and Bombay in 1857
• Abolition of East India Company and transfer of control to the Crown by the Government of India Act, 1858
• Indian Councils Act of 1861

Additional Information 

• Grievances of Sepoy:
• Discrimination in payment and promotion.
• Refusal of the British to pay foreign service allowance while fighting in remote regions such as Punjab or Sindh.
• Religious objections of the high caste Hindu sepoys to Lord Canning's General Service Enlistment Act (1856) ordering all recruits to be ready for service both within and outside India.

The correct answer is 2000 AD.

Key Points

• Bihar was reorganized on November 15, 2000, when the southern part of the state was carved out to create a new state called Jharkhand.
• This reorganization resulted in Bihar losing 18 of its districts to the new state of Jharkhand.
• The process of reorganization was initiated by the Bihar Reorganization Act, which was passed by the Indian parliament in August 2000.
• This act provided for the creation of Jharkhand and the transfer of the 18 districts from Bihar to Jharkhand.
• The act also made provisions for the establishment of a new capital for Jharkhand, which became Ranchi.

Additional Information

• The reorganization of Bihar was aimed at promoting better administration and governance in the region by creating smaller and more manageable states.
• The new state of Jharkhand was formed to cater to the specific needs of the tribal population residing in the region, who were demanding a separate state for a long time.

The correct answer is 1917 AD

Key Points 

Champaran Satyagraha: 

• The Champaran Satyagraha of 1917 was the first Satyagraha movement led by Gandhiji in India and is considered a historically important revolt in the Indian Independence Movement.
• It was a farmer's uprising that took place in the Champaran district of Bihar, India, during the British colonial period. The farmers were protesting against having to grow indigo with barely any payment for it.
• Champaran, where tens of thousands of landless serfs, indentured laborers, and poor farmers were forced to grow indigo and other cash crops instead of the food crops which were necessary for their survival.
• These goods were bought from the farmers at a very low price. Suppressed by the brutal militias of the landlords, they were given negligible compensation, leaving them in extreme poverty.
• Even in the painful time of devastating famine, the British government levied a heavy tax on them and insisted on increasing the rate.
• Without food and money, the situation was growing progressively unbearable and the peasants in Champaran revolted against the government in indigo plant cultivation in 1914 (at Pipra) and in 1916 at (Turkaulia).
• Raj Kumar Shukla who was an indigo cultivator persuaded Mahatma Gandhi to go to Champaran and hence, the Champaran Satyagraha began. Gandhiji arrived in Champaran on 10 April 1917 with a team of eminent lawyers i.e.Brajkishore Prasad, Rajendra Prasad, Anugrah Narayan Sinha, and  Acharya Kripalani.

The correct answer is The King of Bhutan.

Key Points 

• The King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was the Chief Guest at the 64^th Republic Day celebrations.
• Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck:
• Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is a "Dragon King" of the Kingdom of Bhutan.
• After his father Jigme Singye Wangchuck renounced the throne in his favor, he became the monarch on 9 December 2006.
• A public accession ceremony was held on 1 November 2008, a year that marked 100 years of monarchy in Bhutan.

The correct answer is Swami Vivekananda.

Key Points

• The former Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Badal has decided to name the road from Attari to Wagah border as "Vivekananda road" in honor of Swami Vivekananda, a renowned spiritual leader and philosopher of India.
• Swami Vivekananda was a key figure in the Indian spiritual and cultural renaissance of the late 19^th century, and his teachings and philosophy continue to inspire many people around the world today.
• The road is a significant gateway between India and Pakistan.

Key Points

• Udham Singh:
• Udham Singh was born on December 26, 1899, in the Sangrur district of Punjab.
• He was present at Jallianwala Bagh when Massacre took place on April 13, 1919, and was deeply moved by the mishap.
• After that, he went to Africa to work as a laborer and from there moved to the USA.
• In the USA, he worked with the Ghadar Party.
• He returned back to India after being called by Bhagat Singh in 1927 but was arrested here because of being involved in the activities of the Ghadar Party.
• He was released in 1931, went to Germany and to England in 1933.
• On March 13, 1940, Michael O'Dwyer was attending a meeting of the East India Association and Central Asian Society, of which Udham Singh was also a part.
• As soon as the meeting concluded Udham Singh shot O'Dwyer dead.
• Bhagat Singh:
• Bhagat Singh was born on September 1907, in Lyallpur western Punjab, India ( Now in Pakistan)
• In 1923, he joined National College in Lahore founded by Lala Lajpat Rai.
• Bhagat Singh was deeply affected by the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
• In 1928, He established the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) along with Chandrashekhar and others.
• Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt, on April 8^th,1929, threw a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly.
• On 23 March 1931 Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were Hanged by the British Government.
• Lala Lajpat Rai:
• He founded the National School at Lahore.
• He presided over the AITUC in 1920 AD.
• He boycotted the Simon Commission and demonstrated against it at Lahore, during which he was brutally assaulted by the police and he subsequently succumbed to his injuries.
• He was called the Sher-e-Punjab (Lion of Punjab).
• He was inspired by Mahatma Hansraj.
• He was the President of the special session of the Congress at Calcutta, 1920 AD.
• He opposed the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922 AD.
• He founded Swaraj Party with Motilal Nehru and C.R. Das.
• He was the editor of Bande Matram, Punjab and The People.

The correct answer is Dolphins.

Key Points 

• The Gangetic river dolphin is India's national aquatic animal and is popularly known as ‘Susu’.
• Dolphins are one of the oldest creatures in the world along with some species of turtles, crocodiles, and sharks.
• The Ganges river dolphin was officially discovered in 1801.
• Ganges river dolphins once lived in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. But the species is extinct from most of its early distribution ranges.
• The Ganges river dolphin can only live in freshwater and is essentially blind.
• They hunt by emitting ultrasonic sounds, which bounce off of fish and other prey, enabling them to “see” an image in their mind.
• They are frequently found alone or in small groups, and generally a mother and calf travel together.
• Calves are chocolate brown at birth and then have grey-brown smooth, hairless skin as adults.
• Females are larger than males and give birth once every two to three years to only one calf.
• It is among the four freshwater dolphins in the world- the other three are:
• The ‘Baiji’ is now likely extinct from the Yangtze River in China.
• The ‘Bhutan’ of the Indus in Pakistan
• The ‘Boto’ of the Amazon River in Latin America.

Important Points 

• Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary:
• It is situated in the Bhagalpur district of Bihar, India.
• The sanctuary is a 50 km stretch of the Ganges River from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon.
• It was designated as a protected area for the endangered Gangetic dolphins in 1991.

The correct answer is China.

Key Points

• Sun Yat-sen belonged to China. 
• The Manchu empire was overthrown and a republic was established in 1911 under Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925) who is unanimously regarded as the founder of modern China.
• He came from a poor family and studied in missionary schools where he was introduced to democracy and Christianity.
• He studied medicine but was greatly concerned about the fate of China.

Additional Information

• His programme was called the Three Principles (San min Chui).
• These were:
• Nationalism – this meant overthrowing the Manchus who were seen as a foreign dynasty, as well as other foreign imperialists;
• Democracy – establishing democratic government; and
• Socialism – regulating capital and equalizing landholdings.

The correct answer is ​Alice Munro.

Key Points 

• Alice Munro was selected for the 2013 Nobel Prize in Literature.
• In 2013, Alice Munro, "master of the contemporary short story.", a Canadian short story writer won Nobel Prize for Literature.
• Munro's work has been described as having revolutionized the architecture of short stories, especially in its tendency to move forward and backward in time.
• Her stories have been said to "embed more than announce, reveal more than a parade."

Additional Information

• The Nobel Prize in Literature is a Swedish literature prize that is awarded annually, since 1901.
• It is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the will of Alfred Nobel in 1895.
• Alfred Nobel was a Swedish chemist, engineer, and industrialist most famously known for the invention of dynamite.
• Nobel Prizes are awarded in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace.
• Malala Yousuafzai became the Youngest person to receive a Nobel Prize at the age of 17, Nobel Peace Prize (2014).
• John B. Goodenough; at the age of 97, received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2019) and is the Oldest person to receive a Nobel Prize.
• Rabindranath Tagore was the first Indian to receive a Nobel Prize.
• He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in recognition of his work Geetanjali, a collection of poems, in 1913.

The correct answer is Pran Krishna Sikand 

Key Points

• The Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2012 was awarded to the legendary Indian actor Pran Krishan Sikand, popularly known as Pran.
• He was one of the most versatile actors in Indian cinema and had worked in more than 350 films in his career spanning over six decades.
• Pran was known for his powerful and unforgettable performances in movies like "Madhumati", "Zanjeer", "Don", and "Amar Akbar Anthony", among others.
• He was honored with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his contribution to Indian cinema in the year 2013.

The correct answer is Third

Key Points

• Women's Hockey Junior World Cup 2013 was the seventh edition, held from 27 July to 4 August 2013 in Mönchengladbach, Germany.
• India won the bronze medal by defeating England in the third-place match
• This was a historic achievement for the Indian team as it was their first-ever medal at the Junior World Cup
• Defending champions the Netherlands won the tournament for a record third time after defeating Argentina 4–2 in the final on a penalty shootout after a 1–1 draw.
• India won the third place match by defeating England 3–2 on a penalty shootout after a 1–1 draw to claim their first ever Junior World Cup medal.

The correct answer is Rudraprayag. 

Key Points

• Chaurabari Glacier is a small glacier located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India.
• It is situated at an elevation of about 3,800 meters (12,500 feet) above sea level and is surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the region, including Kedarnath Peak, Kirti Stambh, and Bharatekuntha.
• The glacier is a source of the Mandakini River, which is one of the major tributaries of the Ganges.
• It is approximately 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) long and 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) wide.

The correct answer is 10^th December.

Important Points Every year on December 10^th, Human Rights Day commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 (UDHR).

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a landmark declaration that declares that everyone has intrinsic rights as a human being, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinions, national or social origin, property, birth, or other position.
• It is the most translated document in the world, having been translated into over 500 languages.
• This year’s Human Rights Day theme relates to “Equality” and article 1 of the UDHR – “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”.
• The principles of equality and non-discrimination are at the heart of human rights.

The correct answer is Birds.

Key Points

• Pneumatic bone is a characteristic of Birds.
• Present throughout the body of birds, pneumatic bones are hollow bones filled with air cells.
• This makes the skeleton light thereby enabling the birds to fly.

Additional Information

• The study of birds is known as ''Ornithology''.
• All the birds are included in class Aves.

The correct answer is Archeopteryx.

Key Points

• The connecting link between reptiles and birds is Archeopteryx.
• Archaeopteryx had some features like wings, the structure of legs, etc were similar to Aves (bird).
• And some characteristics of the beak, tail, scales on the body, etc were similar to reptiles.

Additional Information 

• Platypus and echidna are the connecting links between Reptilia and Mammalia.
• Darwin gave the theory of natural selection for organic evolution.
• Hugo de Vries gave the theory of mutation.
• Lamarck gave the theory of acquired characters.

The correct answer is Liver.

Key Points  

• Liver
• It is the largest gland of the body and is an accessory organ of the digestive system.
• It continuously produces bile.
• Bile flows out of the liver into the right and left hepatic ducts, into the common hepatic ducts, and toward the small intestine to help with digestion and the absorption of fats.
• In humans, it is located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, below the diaphragm.

Important Points 

• Important facts about the human body are as follows
• Smallest Gland - Pineal
• Largest artery - Aorta
• The longest bone in the Human body - Femur
• Smallest bone - Stapes
• Strongest muscle - masseter muscle (The strongest muscle in the human body is the masseter muscle, which is located in the jaw and is used for chewing.)

The correct answer is 1) S. R. Kashyap.

Key Points

• S. R. Kashyap was an Indian bryologist who is widely regarded as the "father of Bryophytology" in India.
• He was born in 1884 in Karnataka, India and went on to study botany at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.
• He also authored several important books on the subject, including "Bryophytes of British India" and "Bryophyta of Southern India".

Additional Information

Birbal Sahani

• He was an Indian paleobotanist who made significant contributions to the study of fossil plants.
• He is known for his work on Glossopteris, a genus of seed ferns that lived during the Permian period.

M. O. P. Iyengar 

• He was an Indian botanist who specialized in the study of algae. He made significant contributions to the taxonomy and ecology of Indian algae.

J. C. Bose

• He was an Indian physicist and plant physiologist who made significant contributions to the study of plant responses to stimuli.
• He is known for his work on the electrical and mechanical responses of plants.

The correct answer is By sublimation.

Key Points

• Camphor is refined by Sublimation.
• Sublimation is the process in which there is a change of state directly from a solid to a gas without changing into a liquid state.
• Examples of sublimate substances: Ammonium chloride, Camphor, Iodine, Naphthalene, and Dry Ice.

The correct answer is Helium.

Key Points

• Helium has two protons in its nucleus.
• The number of protons within the nucleus of a given atom is equal to the atomic number of the corresponding element.
• The atomic number of Helium is two. Therefore, the number of protons is also two.

Additional Information

• The nucleus of an atom contains protons and neutrons. Protons and neutrons have nearly equal masses, but they differ in charge.
• The mass number of an atom is equal to the total number of protons and neutrons.

The correct answer is Bakelite.

Key Points

• Bakelite is a synthetic plastic made from phenol and formaldehyde.
• Formaldehyde is used as a starting material in the production of Bakelite.
• The material was invented by Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland in 1907 and was the first plastic made from synthetic components.

Additional Information

• DDT (Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane) is a synthetic pesticide made from chloral and chlorobenzene, not formaldehyde.
• Rayon is a semi-synthetic fabric made from cellulose, which is obtained from wood pulp or cotton fibers, and is not directly produced from formaldehyde.
• Polyethylene is a thermoplastic polymer made from the polymerization of ethylene monomers and does not involve formaldehyde in its production.

The correct answer is 8.

Important Points 

• The periodic table is the tabular arrangement of chemical elements.

• The Modern Periodic table consists of 18 groups and 7 periods

• From the above table, it is clear that the number of elements in the third period of the Periodic Table is 8. Therefore, option 1 is correct.

The correct answer is option 1) Mitosis does not occur in bacteria.

Key Points

• Mitosis is a type of cell division that occurs in most eukaryotic organisms, including fungi and higher plants.
• However, bacteria and some algae do not undergo mitosis because they lack a nucleus and other organelles that are necessary for the process.
• Green algae, on the other hand, do undergo mitosis as they are eukaryotic organisms with a nucleus and other organelles.

The correct answer is option 4) Amino acid.

Key Points

• Amino acids are not a part of the nucleotide structure of DNA.
• The nucleotide is the building block of DNA and is composed of three parts: a nitrogenous base (adenine, guanine, cytosine, or thymine), a deoxyribose sugar, and a phosphate group.
• The nitrogenous base and deoxyribose sugar make up the nucleoside, and the addition of a phosphate group forms the nucleotide.
• Amino acids, on the other hand, are the building blocks of proteins, and are not directly involved in the structure of DNA.

Additional Information

• Nitrogenous base: Nitrogenous base is one of the three parts that make up a nucleotide, along with a deoxyribose sugar and a phosphate group. The nitrogenous bases in DNA are adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine. These bases pair up with each other in a specific way to form the rungs of the DNA ladder, which is the double helix structure of DNA.
• Deoxyribose sugar: Deoxyribose sugar is another component of a nucleotide. It is a five-carbon sugar that makes up the backbone of DNA along with the phosphate group. The nitrogenous bases are attached to this sugar molecule, and it is the specific sequence of these bases that determines the genetic information encoded in DNA.
• Phosphoric acid: Phosphoric acid, also known as a phosphate group, is the third component of a nucleotide. It is a molecule made up of phosphorus and oxygen atoms, and it gives DNA its negative charge. The phosphate groups form the backbone of the DNA strand along with the deoxyribose sugar.

The correct answer is option 1) 2L/n

Key Points

Standing Waves

• Standing Waves are a type of wave that occur when two waves of the same frequency and amplitude, traveling in opposite directions, interfere with each other.
• The resulting wave pattern appears to be standing still, hence the name "standing wave."

Calculation

The wavelength of standing waves generated in a stretched string of length L will depend on the mode of the standing wave and the boundary conditions of the string.

• For a string fixed at both ends, such as a guitar string, the possible standing waves are called the harmonic series.
• The harmonic series is given by: λ_n = 2L/n

where:

• λ_n is the wavelength of the nth harmonic
• L is the length of the string
• n is an integer representing the harmonic number.

The correct answer is option 1 By microphone

CONCEPT:

• The basic use of a microphone is best explained with the help of the following diagram:

EXPLANATION:

• From the above discussion, the Conversion of sound energy into electrical energy is done by a microphone. So option 1 is correct.

The correct answer is option 3

Key Points

• Water waves are a type of disturbance that travels through a body of water, causing the water to oscillate up and down or side to side.
• These waves can be caused by a variety of factors, such as wind, tides, and earthquakes.
• There are two main types of water waves: transverse waves and longitudinal waves.
• Transverse waves occur when the water moves up and down at a right angle to the direction of the wave's travel.
• Longitudinal waves occur when the water moves back and forth in the same direction as the wave's travel.

Water waves can actually exhibit both longitudinal and transverse motion, so option 3) "Both longitudinal and transverse" is correct.

The correct answer is Bud.

Key Points

Bud:

• A bud is a small, undeveloped plant structure that contains embryonic shoots, leaves, and/or flowers.
• Buds are the precursor to a flower, and the transformation of a bud into a flower involves complex changes in gene expression, hormone levels, and cellular differentiation.
• The stages of bud development include dormancy, initiation, growth, maturation, and senescence.
• The development of buds is influenced by environmental factors such as temperature, light, and moisture.

Additional Information 1. Root:

• A root is a plant organ that anchors the plant in the soil and absorbs water and nutrients.
• It is not a transformation of a flower, but rather a distinct structure that develops from the plant's embryonic root system.
• Roots can develop from different parts of a plant, including stem cuttings, adventitious buds, and root initials.
• The development of roots is influenced by environmental factors such as soil moisture, temperature, and nutrient availability.

2. Shoot:

• A shoot is a plant structure that includes the stem, leaves, and buds.
• It develops from the plant's embryonic shoot system and is responsible for the plant's above-ground growth and development.
• The transformation of a bud into a flower involves the development of a floral shoot that bears the flower.
• The development of shoots is influenced by environmental factors such as light, temperature, and nutrients.

3. Leaf:

• A leaf is a plant structure that is responsible for photosynthesis and transpiration.
• It develops from the plant's embryonic leaf primordia and is not a transformation of a flower.
• The development of leaves is influenced by environmental factors such as light, temperature, and moisture.
• Leaves play an important role in plant growth and development, as they are responsible for the production of food and the regulation of water loss.

CONCEPT:

Satellite:

• Satellites are natural or artificial bodies describing an orbit around a planet under its gravitational attraction.
• The weight of all the objects inside the satellite is zero because the gravitational force due to the planet on the object gets balanced by the centrifugal force.
• So there is no gravity inside the satellite.

Simple pendulum:

• When a point mass is attached to an inextensible string and suspended from fixed support then it is called a simple pendulum.
• The time period of a simple pendulum is defined as the time taken by the pendulum to finish one complete oscillation.

\(⇒ T = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{l}{g}}\)

• The above formula is only valid for small angular displacements.

Where, T = Time period of oscillation, l = length of the pendulum, and g = gravitational acceleration 

• The amplitude of a simple pendulum is defined as the maximum distance traveled by the pendulum from the equilibrium position to one side.
• The length of a simple pendulum is defined as the distance between the point of suspension to the center of the bob.

CALCULATION:

The time period of a simple pendulum is given as,

\(⇒ T = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{l}{g}}\)     -----(1)

• Since there is no gravity inside the satellite orbiting around the earth. So,

⇒ g = 0m/s2     -----(2)

By equation 1 and equation 2,

\(⇒ T = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{l}{0}}\)

⇒ T = ∞

• Hence, option 2 is correct.

The correct answer is CO and N2

Key PointsProducer gas:

• It is a mixture of carbon monoxide and nitrogen gas (CO + N2).
• It is generated by passing air with steam over burning coke or coal in a furnace and used as fuel at a temperature of 1100° C.
• Its calorific value is low.
• It is cheapest among all gaseous fuels.
• It burns with a blue flame.
• This gases is poisonous in nature due to the presence of Carbon monoxide (CO).

The correct answer is Cu+

Key Points

• Diamagnetic materials have all their electrons paired up in the electronic configuration, while paramagnetic materials have unpaired electrons.

Out of the given options, Cu+ is diamagnetic.

• The electronic configuration of Cu+ is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d^`10, where all the 10 electrons in the 3d sub-shell are paired up. Hence, the net spin is zero, and the Cu+ ion is diamagnetic.
• In contrast, Mn²⁺ and Fe³⁺ have unpaired electrons in their electronic configuration, and they are paramagnetic. Ni2+ also has an unpaired electron and is diamagnetic.

Concept:

• Nuclear fusion is a reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei come closer enough to form one or more different atomic nuclei and subatomic particles (neutrons or protons).
• A hydrogen bomb is an immensely powerful bomb whose destructive power comes from the rapid release of energy during the nuclear fusion of isotopes of hydrogen (deuterium and tritium), using an atom bomb as a trigger.
• Sun is the best example of nuclear fusion in which smaller nuclei of atoms fused at very high temperature and pressure into a larger nucleus.

\(\frac{2}{1}H+\frac{2}{1}H \xrightarrow{at\ high \Delta T}{} \frac{4}{2}He\)

Explanation:

• Nuclear fusion in the sun is a type of nuclear reaction in which there is a collision of two or more atomic nuclei at high energy levels. There is a formation of a new nucleus.
• In the Sun, the temperature is around 15 Million kelvins and pressure are millions of times higher than the Earth's surface.
• At this high temperature and pressure, the Coulomb barrier is overcome and nuclear fusion takes place.
• This fission happens inside the core of the sun and the energy later escapes to the surface of the sun.
• It is responsible for the generation of solar radiation.

 

Nuclear fission is a nuclear reaction process in which a heavy nucleus splits into two nuclei of nearly equal mass.

Nuclear fusion is the nuclear reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei are combined to form one or more different atomic nuclei and subatomic particles.

• Hydrogen bomb is an immensely powerful bomb whose destructive power comes from the rapid release of energy during the nuclear fusion of isotopes of hydrogen (deuterium and tritium), using an atom bomb as a trigger.

CONCEPT:

• When light rays travel from one medium to another then there is bending in the light ray. This phenomenon is called as refraction of light.
• The refraction occurs due to different refractive indexes of the medium for different colours of light.
• When the light ray strikes on a small molecule of any medium particles then it gets spread in different directions then this phenomenon is called as a scattering of light.
• White light coming from the sun consists of seven constituent colours.
• These are – Violet, Indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red
• The red colour light has the longest wavelength among them and Violet has the shortest wavelength.

EXPLANATION:

• During the sunrise and sunset time, the light ray coming from the sun travel a longer distance in the atmosphere because the sun is on the horizon.
• The light having the least wavelength will be scattered most and light having the longest wavelength will be scattered least.
• Since the red and orange colour light has maximum wavelength among all other colours so it will be least scattered in the atmosphere and will come directly to our eye.
• As the combination of red and orange colours will come directly to our eyes so the sun appears reddish-orange. This is due to the least scattering by the atmosphere. Hence option 3 is correct.

The correct answer is A beam of coherent light.

Key Points

LASER - Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation:

• A laser is an unusual light source as it is quite different from a light bulb or a flashlight.
• A laser is a device that is used to produce a highly monochromatic, coherent, a unidirectional beam of light
• A laser device makes use of atoms or molecules to emit light at particular wavelengths and amplifies that light to produce a narrow beam of radiation.​
• Wavelength has measured the distance between the adjacent crest or trough

The Correct Answer is +7.

Key Points

• The oxidation number of alkali metals (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) in the molecule is always +1.
• The oxidation number of oxygen is -2 (oxide)
• KMnO4:
• Let the oxidation number of Mn is x.
• 1 + x + (-2)x4 = 0
• 1 + x - 8 = 0
• x = +7 (Therefore oxidation number of Mn is +7)

The correct answer is Ethanol

Key Points

• Ethanol is obtained from the hydration of ethene. The process of hydration involves adding water (H₂O) to ethene (C₂H₄) in the presence of a catalyst.
• The chemical equation for the reaction is: C₂H₄ + H₂O → CH₃CH₂OH
• In this reaction, the double bond in ethene is broken, and the carbon atoms form new bonds with the hydrogen and hydroxyl (OH) groups of water, resulting in the formation of ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH).
• This reaction is an example of an addition reaction, where two or more reactants combine to form a single product. The hydration of ethene is an important industrial process for the production of ethanol, which is used as a fuel, solvent, and in the production of various chemicals.

The correct answer is 2.0 Grams

Concept:

To calculate the weight of 22.4 liters of H2 gas, we need to use the ideal gas law equation: PV = nRT

where:

• P = pressure (in atmospheres), V = volume (in liters), n = number of moles of gas, R = gas constant (0.0821 L·atm/mol·K), T = temperature (in Kelvin)
• The Standard temperature and pressure (STP), which is defined as 0°C (273 K) and 1 atmosphere of pressure, one mole of any gas occupies 22.4 liters.
• So, if we have 22.4 liters of H₂ gas at STP, we know that it represents one mole of H₂ gas.

The atomic weight of hydrogen (H) is 1.008, so the molecular weight of H₂ is 2.016 (since H₂ is a diatomic molecule).

Therefore, one mole of H₂ gas weighs 2.016 grams.

Calculation:

Putting it all together, we can calculate the weight of 22.4 liters of H₂ gas as follows:

 PV = nRT

(1 atm) x (22.4 L) = (1 mol) x (0.0821 L·atm/mol·K) x (273 K)

 n = 1 mol

So, we have one mole of H₂ gas, which weighs 2.016 grams.

Therefore, the weight of 22.4 liters of H2 gas at STP is 2.016 grams.

The correct answer is 2-Butene.

Key Points

Isomers:

• These are the compounds that have the same molecular formula but different structures or stereochemistries.
• There is a wide range of classification of organic molecules based on their structures.​

Geometrical isomerism:

• Geometrical isomerism is shown in molecules that have a carbon-carbon double bond C = C.
• Geometrical isomerism is shown only when each carbon atom of the double bond is attached to two different atoms or groups.
• Compounds of the type abC = Cad, abC = Cab, and abC = Cde will show geometrical isomerism.
• The cause of geometrical isomerism is restricted rotation about a C = C bond.

Explanation:

Cis and trans isomerism:

• In a geometrical isomer, if the two identical groups are situated on the same side of the C = C then that is called the cis isomer.
• In a geometrical isomer, if the two identical groups are situated on the opposite side of the C = C then that is called the trans isomer.

Let us examine the given molecules.

2 - Butene

• The molecule has the formula CH3-CH=CH-CH3.
• It is of abC = Cab type and will thus show cis-trans isomerism.

 

2 Butyne 

• The molecular formula for 2 Butyne is C4H6.

          

• It has no double bond and does not show geometrical isomerism.

2 Butanol: 

• The molecule does not contain a C=C.

Thus does not fulfill the criteria to show geometrical isomerism.

​

Butene:

• The molecule contains a C = C but does not have two different groups attached to it.

Thus it doesn't fulfill the criteria to show geometrical isomerism.

Hence, only 2 - Butene shows cis-trans isomerism.

Additional Information 

• The cis and trans isomers have different physical and chemical properties.
• The trans isomers generally gave higher melting points than the cis ones.
• The dipole moment is greater in the case of cis isomers.

Important Points 

• Cis trans isomerism is also shown in cyclic compounds in which two of its ring atoms have different groups attached to its exocyclic single bonds.

The correct answer is 10⁻¹⁵ m.

Key Points

• One femtometer is equivalent to 10−15 m.
• Femi is a unit of length used to measure nuclear distances.
• 1 fermi = 10⁻¹⁵ meter.
• it was named for the Italian physicist Enrico Fermi (1901–1954).
• It is now obsolete, replaced by the SI term femtometer (symbol, fm).

one fermi = one femtometer.

Additional Information 

The correct answer is Wolfia

Key Points

• The world's smallest flowering plant is Wolffia globosa, also known as the Asian watermeal or duckweed.
• This tiny aquatic plant is part of the duckweed family and measures only 0.5-1.5 millimeters in length, making it almost invisible to the naked eye.
• Despite its small size, it produces flowers and fruits and is capable of photosynthesis.
• It is found in freshwater habitats such as ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams, and is distributed throughout much of the world.

The correct answer is Tensley.

Important Points 

An ecosystem is a community which comprises of both living and non-living components and their interaction with each other and the environment. The term ecosystem is proposed by A.G. Tensley.

The types of ecosystems include forest, grassland, tundra, marine, freshwater, and desert ecosystem.

Additional Information 

Types of the ecosystem:

• A forest ecosystem is a natural unit that includes animals, plants, and microorganisms and their interaction with the abiotic components of the environment. These are further classified as temperate and tropical.
• Grassland ecosystems can be found in steppes, savannas, and prairies.
• Tundra ecosystems are treeless regions that are found in windy and cold climatic areas.
• The marine ecosystem is one of the largest aquatic ecosystems on the earth. They have a high salt content.
• Freshwater ecosystems are found in springs, lakes, rivers, ponds, etc.
• Desert ecosystems exist where there is low precipitation.

The correct answer is Nucleus.

The number of neutrons in carbon-12 (C¹²) is 6.

Key Points

• Carbon-12 is one of the isotopes of carbon, and it has an atomic number of 6, which means it has 6 protons in its nucleus. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons is also 6, which balances out the positive charge of the protons.
• To determine the number of neutrons in an atom, you subtract the atomic number from the mass number. Carbon-12 has a mass number of 12, which means it has 12 - 6 = 6 neutrons.

The correct answer is Gene

Key Points

1. Gene

• The word "Gene" was first coined by Danish botanist and geneticist Wilhelm Johannsen in 1909.
• A sequence of DNA that contains the instructions for making a specific protein or RNA molecule.
• Genes are the basic unit of heredity and are passed down from parents to their offspring.
• The human genome contains approximately 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes.

Additional Information1. Virus:

• Microscopic infectious agents that can cause a range of diseases in animals, plants, and bacteria.
• Can be composed of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coat, and sometimes a  lipid envelope.
• Examples include influenza, HIV, COVID-19, and the common cold.

2. RBC:

• Red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes.
• Blood cells that transport oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs.
• Contains the protein hemoglobin, which gives the cells their red color.

3. Chromosome:

• A structure in the cell nucleus that carries genetic information in the form of DNA.
• Made up of DNA and proteins called histones.
• Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 46 chromosomes in each cell.

The correct answer is  Mainly in the winter months.

Key Points

• Tamil Nadu is located on the eastern coast of India.
• South India usually receives rainfall from south west monsoons.
• But these south west monsoon arising from Arabian Sea gets obstructed by Western Ghats.
• Hence, Tamil Nadu receives most of its rain from north east and retreating monsoons during winter season.
• Moreover, many low pressure systems develop in the Bay of Bengal during this period and move towards the east coast of Tamil Nadu causing heavy rainfall.

 Tamil Nadu receives rainfall from Northeast trade winds.

• From early June to mid-September, between 100- 120 days is the duration of the monsoon. Some places like Tamil Nadu receive a major portion of its rainfall during October and November, but most parts of the country receive rainfall from June to September.
• During the winter season, the winds prevailing in the country are the Northeast trade winds.
• In major parts of the country, it is a dry season, as the winds blow from land to sea.
• When the winds blow from sea to land, it picks up moisture from the sea and brings rainfall to the country.
• Due to the geographical location, the east coast receives rainfall as the north east trade winds blow from sea to land in this location. Hence the coast of Tamil Nadu receives winter rainfall.

Additional Information  Monsoon

• Generally, across the world, the monsoons are experienced in the tropical area roughly between 20° N and 20° S.
• The climate of India is described as the ‘monsoon’ type. In Asia, this type of climate is found mainly in the south and the southeast.
• Out of a total of 4 seasonal divisions of India, monsoon occupies 2 divisions, namely.
• The southwest monsoon season - Rainfall received from the southwest monsoons is seasonal in character, and occurs between June and September.
• The retreating monsoon season - The months of October and November are known for retreating monsoons.
• Factors Influencing South-West Monsoon Formation
• The differential heating and cooling of land and water create a low pressure on the landmass of India while the seas around experience comparatively high pressure.
• The shift of the position of Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in summer, over the Ganga plain (this is the equatorial trough normally positioned about 5°N of the equator. It is also known as the monsoon-trough during the monsoon season).

The correct answer is Lakshadweep.

• Lakshadweep Islands are made of small atolls and reefs in the Arabian Sea.

Key Points 

• Lakshadweep Islands consists of approx. 36 islands of which 11 are inhabited.
• Most of them have low elevation and do not rise more than five-meter above sea level and their topography does not have streams, valleys, etc. features.
• Aminidiv Islands, Laccadive Islands, and Minicoy Islands are three major Islands of Lakshadweep.​

Additional Information 

• The major island groups of India are Andaman and Nicobar in the Bay of Bengal and Lakshadweep islands in the Arabian Sea.
• Some features of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are as follows-
• Duncan's passage separates Little Andaman from South Andaman.
• Ten Degree Channel separates The Great Andaman group of islands in the North from the Nicobar group in the south.
• Port Blair, the capital of Andaman Nicobar Islands.
• Saddle peak (737 m) in North Andaman is the highest peak.
• These islands are formed of granitic rocks.
• Onges, Sentinelese, Jarawas, and Shompen are major tribes here.

The correct answer is All of the above.

Key Points

• The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are situated on the western and eastern sides of peninsular India respectively.
• The many topographical and climatic features of South India are included in Peninsular India.
• The peninsula is shaped like a large inverted triangle, with the Vindhya and Satpura ranges bordering it on the north.
• The Bay of Bengal on the east, and the Arabian Sea on the west.

Additional Information

• The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, covering 70,560,000 km².
• The deepest point in the Indian Ocean, at 24,442 feet (7,450 meters).
• The deepest point in the Indian Ocean is the Sunda Deep of the Java Trench off the southern coast of the island of Java (Indonesia).
• The Indian Ocean has relatively few islands Madagascar, Maldives, Seychelles, Socotra, and Sri Lanka.
• The Indian Ocean Covers 20% of the Earth's Surface.
• The Ocean through 57 island groups,16 African countries and,18 Asian countries is connected directly through its waters.
• The Indian Ocean Oil Deposit Accounts for 40% of World Production.

The correct answer is Western Ghats.​

Key Points

Western Ghats 

• It is sometimes called the Great Escarpment of India.
• The main watershed of most of the peninsular river lies in the Western Ghats.
• The Western Ghats is a mountain range that covers an area of 160,000 km2 (62,000 sq mi) in a stretch of 1,600 km (990 mi) parallel to the western coast of the Indian peninsula, traversing the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
• It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the eight hotspots of biological diversity globally.

Additional Information 

• The highest peak of Western Ghats is Anamudi.
• The highest peak of Eastern Ghats is Jindaghada Peak.

The correct answer is In Jharkhand.

Key Points

• Chhotanagpur plateau is wide in Jharkhand.
• Chotanagpur plateau represents the north-eastern projection of the Indian Peninsula. The Chotonagpur plateau is primarily composed of archaeon rocks of granite and gneiss etc.
• Mostly in Jharkhand, the northern part of Chhatisgarh and Purulia district of West Bengal.
• The average height of the plateau is 700 m above sea level. This plateau is composed mainly of Gondwana rocks.
• The Damodar River flows through the middle of this region in a rift valley from west to east. In this region Gondwana coal fields are found which provide the bulk of coal in India.
• North of the Damodar river is the Hazaribagh plateau with an average height of 600 m above mean sea level. This plateau has isolated hills. It looks like a peneplain due to large scale erosion.
• The Ranchi Plateau to the south of the Damodar Valley rises to about 600 m above mean sea level. Most of the surface is rolling where the city of Ranchi (661 m) is located.
• The highest peak of this plateau is almost 1370m high from the sea level which is also known as the Parashnath mountain.

The correct answer is Damodar river.

Key Points

• Aiyer Dam is a dam located in the Central Eastern region of India. This dam is built on Damodar river in Jharkhand. This dam blocks the water of the river and is used to store water.

Additional Information1.  Barakar:

• A tributary of the Damodar River in eastern India.
• Originates in Jharkhand and flows through the states of Jharkhand and West Bengal before joining the Damodar River.
• The Barakar Dam, also known as the Panchet Dam, is located on the Barakar River in Jharkhand.

2. Kaveri:

• A large river in southern India that flows through the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
• Originates in the Western Ghats and empties into the Bay of Bengal.
• The Kaveri River is an important source of water for irrigation and drinking in the region.

3. Damodar:

• A river in eastern India that flows through the states of Jharkhand and West Bengal.
• Known as the "sorrow of Bengal" due to its frequent flooding and devastating impact on the region's economy and people.
• Several dams and reservoirs have been built on the Damodar River for flood control, irrigation, and power generation.

4. Krishna:

• A major river in southern India that flows through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Originates in the Western Ghats and empties into the Bay of Bengal.
• The Krishna River is an important source of water for irrigation, hydropower, and drinking in the region.

The correct answer is June.

Key Points 

• The longest day in the year is 21 June which is generally termed as Summer Solstice.
• The summer solstice which is generally termed as an estival solstice or midsummer occurs when one of the Earth's poles has its maximum tilt toward the Sun.
• It happens twice annually, once in each hemisphere (Northern and Southern).
• For that hemisphere, the summer solstice is when the Sun reaches its apex position in the sky and is the day with the longest period of daylight.
• Within the Arctic circle (for the northern hemisphere) or Antarctic circle (for the southern hemisphere), there is incessant daylight around the summer solstice.
• On the summer solstice, the earth's maximum axial tilt toward the Sun is 23.44°.

Additional Information 

• In addition to, the Sun's declination from the celestial equator is 23.44°.
• The summer solstice occurs during the summer period.
• This is the June solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the December solstice in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Depending on the shift of the calendar, the summer solstice happens sometime between June 20 and June 22 in the Northern Hemisphere and between December 20 and December 23 in the Southern Hemisphere.
• The same dates in the contrary hemisphere are referred to as the winter solstice.

The correct answer is Ganges.

Key Points The Ganga System

• The Ganga is the most important river in India both from the point of view of its basin and cultural significance.
• It rises in the Gangotri glacier near Gaumukh (3,900 m) in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Here, it is known as the Bhagirathi.
• It cuts through the Central and the Lesser Himalayas in narrow gorges.
• At Devprayag, the Bhagirathi meets the Alaknanda; hereafter, it is known as the Ganga.
• The Alaknanda has its source in the Satopanth glacier above Badrinath.
• The Alaknanda consists of the Dhauli and the Vishnu Ganga which meet at Joshimath or Vishnu Prayag.
• The other tributaries of Alaknanda such as the Pindar join it at Karna Prayag while Mandakini or Kali Ganga meets it at Rudra Prayag.
• The Ganga enters the plains at Haridwar. From here, it flows first to the south, then to the southeast and east before splitting into two distributaries, namely the Bhagirathi and the Padma.
• The river has a length of 2,525 km.
• It is shared by Uttarakhand (110 km) and Uttar Pradesh (1,450 km), Bihar (445 km), and West Bengal (520 km).
• The Son is its major right-bank tributary.
• The important left-bank tributaries are the Ramganga, the Gomati, the Ghaghara, the Gandak, the Kosi, and the Mahananda.
• The river finally discharges itself into the Bay of Bengal near Sagar Island.

The correct answer is Horizontal equal halves.

Key Points

• The equator is an imaginary line that divides the earth into two equal parts, i.e. in the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere.
• Tropic of Cancer is the northerly circle of latitude on earth at which the sun gets directly overhead.
• Tropic of Capricorn is the southernmost latitude where the sun is directly overhead.

The correct answer is Ganges.

Key Points 

• River Ganga:
• The River Ganga originates from the Gangotri glacier in Uttarakhand.
• Alaknanda River joins Bhagirathi at Devprayag and from there the river is called Ganga.
• Yamuna(Largest right bank tributary of Ganga), Damodar (Sorrow of Bengal), Ghagra, Gomti, Gandak, Ramganga, Kosi (Sorrow of Bihar), Son, Mahananda are major tributaries of River Ganga.
• It flows through the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
• It is a transboundary river, flows through India and Bangladesh.
• The total length of the river is 2525 km.

Additional Information 

• Bihar:
• Bihar is bordered by Nepal and the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.

Given:

The ratio of Ramesh's height to Rajeev's height is 14 to 15.

The height of Ramesh is 161 cm,

Calculation:

Let the height be x.

Ramesh : Rajeev = 14x : 15x

According to the question,

The height of Ramesh = 161

⇒ 14x = 161

⇒ x = \(\dfrac{161}{14}\) cm

The height of Rajeev = 15x

⇒ 15 × \(\dfrac{161}{14}\) = 172.5 cm

∴ The height of Rajeev is 172.5 cm.

Shortcut Trick

Commission = 27% of Sales Value

Commission = 27/100 × 8100

Commission = 27 × 81

Commission = 2187

∴ The correct answer is Rs 2,187.

Alternate Method

Given:

Total value of goods (Sales) = Rs 8,100

Commission Rate = 27%

Formula Used:

Commission Earned = (Commission % ÷ 100) × Total Sales Value

Calculations:

⇒ Commission = 27% of 8,100

⇒ Commission = (27 ÷ 100) × 8,100

⇒ Commission = 27 × 81

⇒ Commission = 2,187

∴ The correct answer is Rs 2,187.

Additional Information

Percentage Change

To find the percentage of a number, multiply the number by the percentage rate and divide by 100. Formula: (Value × %) ÷ 100.

Net Sales Income

The amount remaining for the owner after paying commission is: Total Sales − Commission Earned.

Successive Commission

If multiple commissions are applied, use the effective percentage formula: a + b + (ab/100) or calculate step-by-step on the remaining value.