General Awareness PYQs

The correct answer is Monastic discipline and ethics.

Key Points

• The Vinaya Pitaka is the first of the three divisions of the Tripitaka (meaning 'Three Baskets'), which constitutes the standard collection of scriptures in the Theravada Buddhist tradition.
• It primarily contains the monastic rules and regulations prescribed by Gautama Buddha to govern the life and conduct of the Sangha (the community of monks and nuns).
• A central component of this text is the Patimokkha, a set of 227 rules for monks (bhikkhus) and 311 rules for nuns (bhikkhunis), which are recited fortnightly to ensure ethical purity.
• The Vinaya Pitaka is structurally divided into three main sections: the Suttavibhanga (commentary on the Patimokkha), the Khandhaka (rules for communal life and ceremonies), and the Parivara (a technical summary and manual of the rules).
• It provides detailed procedures for ordination, the resolution of disputes, and the daily behavior required to maintain the spiritual integrity and harmony of the monastic order.

 Additional Information

• The other two divisions of the Tripitaka serve distinct religious and academic purposes:
• Sutta Pitaka:
• This section consists of the Buddhavacana (word of the Buddha) and contains over 10,000 suttas (discourses) delivered by the Buddha and his close disciples.
• It focuses on the Dhamma (teachings) and includes essential concepts like the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
• Abhidhamma Pitaka:
• This division offers a detailed scholastic analysis and systematization of the teachings found in the Sutta Pitaka.
• It deals with philosophical doctrines and the psychological breakdown of human experience, consciousness, and matter.
• First Buddhist Council:
• The Vinaya Pitaka was traditionally compiled and recited by Upali during the First Buddhist Council held at Rajgir (Rajagriha) shortly after the Buddha's death in 483 BCE.

The correct answer is Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha.

Key Points

• The Constituent Assembly of India held its first meeting on December 9, 1946, to begin the process of drafting a constitution for independent India.
• Following the French practice of electing the oldest member to preside over the initial proceedings, Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was appointed as the temporary President of the Assembly.
• He was a renowned lawyer, parliamentarian, and journalist from Bihar, who played a significant role in the Indian national movement and the administrative separation of Bihar from Bengal.
• His tenure as the temporary President lasted until a permanent President was elected by the members of the assembly two days later.

 Additional Information

• Analysis of other prominent figures involved in the Constituent Assembly:
• B.N. Rau: He was appointed as the Constitutional Advisor to the assembly. He prepared the initial draft of the Constitution and represented India at the United Nations Security Council.
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: He was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, which was set up on August 29, 1947. He is widely recognized as the Chief Architect or Father of the Indian Constitution.
• H.V.R. Iyengar: He served as the Secretary to the Constituent Assembly, handling the administrative framework and coordination of the assembly's diverse committees.
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad: On December 11, 1946, he was elected as the permanent President of the Constituent Assembly. He later became the first President of India upon the commencement of the Constitution in 1950.

The correct answer is To replace old criminal laws like the Indian Penal.

Key Points

• The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 is the primary criminal code of India, enacted to modernize the legal system by repealing and replacing the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860, which was a colonial-era law established under the British Raj.
• The central aim of this legislation is to shift the legal focus from a punitive colonial mindset to a justice-oriented approach, ensuring that the statutes are aligned with the contemporary social and technological landscape of 21^st-century India.
• It introduces specific provisions for organized crime and terrorism, which were previously handled under special laws, and integrates them into the general criminal code for better legal clarity and enforcement.
• The BNS has streamlined various sections, reducing the total number of sections from 511 in the IPC to 358 in the new Sanhita, while also introducing community service as a recognized form of punishment for minor offenses for the first time in Indian criminal law.
• The legislation received the assent of the President of India on December 25, 2023, and officially came into force across the nation on July 1, 2024.

 Additional Information

• The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was introduced alongside two other major legislative reforms by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to overhaul the criminal justice framework:
• Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023: This Act replaces the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973, focusing on procedural efficiency and the use of technology in investigations.
• Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023: This Act replaces the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, allowing for the admissibility of digital and electronic records as primary evidence.
• Notably, the BNS has repealed the controversial law on Sedition (Section 124A of IPC) and replaced it with a new provision (Section 152) that targets acts endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India without using the term 'sedition'.
• New categories of crimes such as mob lynching and hit-and-run cases have been explicitly addressed with stringent penalties to ensure public safety and accountability.

The correct answer is Focus on agriculture.

Key Points

• The First Five-Year Plan was launched in 1951 and continued until 1956, under the leadership of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
• It was based on the Harrod-Domar model, which emphasized the importance of capital accumulation and savings to drive economic growth in a nascent economy.
• The primary objective was to address the acute food shortage and inflation that plagued India following the Partition and World War II, making agriculture the topmost priority.
• Approximately 20.6% of the total plan outlay was allocated to Irrigation and Energy, specifically targeting the construction of massive dams and irrigation channels.
• Significant multipurpose river valley projects, including the Bhakra-Nangal, Hirakud, and Damodar Valley projects, were initiated to bolster farming productivity and generate power.
• The plan was highly successful, achieving a growth rate of 3.6%, which significantly surpassed the initial target of 2.1%, leading to a substantial increase in per capita income and national income.

 Additional Information

• Promote heavy industries:
• This was the core objective of the Second Five-Year Plan (1956-1961), which followed the Mahalanobis Model.
• It shifted focus from agriculture to rapid industrialization, leading to the establishment of steel plants in Bhilai, Durgapur, and Rourkela.
• Contextual Highlights of the First Plan:
• K.N. Raj, a prominent economist, played a vital role in drafting the plan, advocating for a cautious growth approach for the first two decades.
• The Community Development Programme was launched in 1952 to improve the standard of living in rural areas through self-help and government support.
• The University Grants Commission (UGC) was set up during this period to strengthen higher education, and five Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) were also initiated.
• The plan also prioritized Land Reforms to abolish the Zamindari system and ensure equitable land distribution among the tillers.

The correct answer is Sattriya.

Key Points

• Sattriya is a major Indian classical dance form that originated in the Sattras (Vaishnavite monasteries) of Assam during the 15^th century.
• The dance was introduced by the great saint and social reformer Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev as a medium for the propagation of the Bhakti movement.
• The female costume in Sattriya is the Mekhela Chador, a traditional Assamese attire consisting of two main pieces: the Mekhela (the lower garment worn as a sarong) and the Chador (the upper garment draped over the shoulder).
• These costumes are meticulously crafted from indigenous Assam silk, specifically Pat silk (mulberry silk) or the rare Muga silk (golden silk), featuring traditional motifs like Kingkhap.
• Female dancers also wear traditional Assamese jewelry such as the Kopali on the forehead, Gam Kharu (large bangles), and Thoka Puta (earrings) to complete the ritualistic look.

 Additional Information

• Other classical dance costumes:
• Kathakali: Originating from Kerala, it is characterized by enormous billowing skirts, elaborate facial makeup, and large, heavy headgears known as Kireedam.
• Odissi: Hailing from Odisha, performers wear a Sambalpuri or Silk Saree draped with a decorative pleated cloth in front and distinctive silver jewelry.
• Mohiniyattam: Another classical dance from Kerala, its hallmark is the Kasavu Saree, which is plain off-white or cream in color with a striking gold-threaded border.

The correct answer is Goddess Mahakali.

Key Points

• Bonalu is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated annually in the state of Telangana, predominantly in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
• The festival is dedicated to Goddess Mahakali, an intense form of the Mother Goddess, to thank her for the fulfillment of vows and to seek protection from diseases.
• It is observed during the Ashada Masam, which typically falls in the months of July and August according to the Gregorian calendar.
• The word Bonam is derived from the Sanskrit word Bhojanam, meaning a meal or a feast, which is offered to the Goddess in decorated earthen or brass pots.
• The celebrations officially commence at the Jagadamba Temple located in the Golconda Fort on the first Sunday of the month.
• Women carry the Bonam (rice cooked with milk and jaggery) on their heads, adorned with neem leaves, turmeric, and vermillion, accompanied by rhythmic drum beats.

 Additional Information

• Historical Significance:
• The origin of the festival dates back to 1813, following a massive plague outbreak in the region. It is believed that the military battalion from Hyderabad stationed in Ujjain prayed to the Goddess to stop the plague, promising to install her idol back home.
• The Ujjaini Mahakali Temple in Secunderabad remains one of the central hubs for these festivities.
• Rituals and Figures:
• Pothuraju: A key figure in the procession, representing the brother of the Goddess, who dances to the drums and is believed to ward off evil spirits.
• Rangam: A ritual held on the morning after the main festival where a woman standing on an earthen pot predicts the future of the state and the rains for the coming year.
• Ghatam: A copper pot decorated in the form of the Goddess, which is carried in a procession on the final day before being immersed in water.

The correct answer is Javelin Throw.

Key Points

• Neeraj Chopra secured the gold medal for India in the Men's Javelin Throw event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021).
• He recorded a massive throw of 87.58 meters in his second attempt to clinch the top spot on the podium on August 7, 2021.
• This achievement made him the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal in Track and Field (athletics) in the history of independent India.
• Neeraj Chopra is only the second Indian individual to win an Olympic gold medal, following Abhinav Bindra, who won gold in the 10m Air Rifle event in 2008.
• With this gold medal, India concluded the Tokyo 2020 campaign with a total of 7 medals (1 Gold, 2 Silver, and 4 Bronze), marking its most successful Olympic performance to date.

 Additional Information

• Wrestling:
• India won two medals in wrestling at Tokyo 2020. Ravi Kumar Dahiya won the Silver medal in the men's 57kg freestyle, and Bajrang Punia secured the Bronze medal in the men's 65kg freestyle.
• Boxing:
• Lovlina Borgohain won a Bronze medal in the women's Welterweight category (64-69kg), becoming the third Indian boxer ever to win an Olympic medal.
• Shooting:
• Although India fielded a strong 15-member shooting contingent, the team did not secure any medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
• Neeraj Chopra's Background:
• He serves as a Subedar in the Indian Army, specifically within the 4^th Rajputana Rifles. He was honored with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021 following his Olympic success.

The correct answer is 1985.

Key Points

• The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established on December 8, 1985, during the first SAARC Summit held in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• The foundation of the organization was marked by the formal adoption of the SAARC Charter, which was signed by the heads of state or government of seven South Asian nations.
• The primary objective of SAARC is to promote the welfare of the people of South Asia, improve their quality of life, and accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region.
• The establishment followed several years of preparatory meetings, starting from a proposal in 1980, which led to the first meeting of foreign secretaries in Colombo in 1981.
• The association is built on the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states.

 Additional Information

• Membership and Expansion:
• The seven founding members are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives.
• Afghanistan became the eighth member of SAARC during the 14^th Summit held in New Delhi in April 2007.
• Administrative Structure:
• The SAARC Secretariat was established in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 16, 1987, to coordinate and monitor the implementation of activities.
• The Secretary-General of SAARC is appointed by the Council of Ministers for a non-renewable term of three years.
• Regional Institutions:
• SAARC has established specialized bodies such as the South Asian University (SAU) in India, the SAARC Development Fund (SDF) in Bhutan, and the SAARC Arbitration Council in Pakistan.

The correct answer is Aurangzeb.

Key Points

• The Moti Masjid, which translates to the Pearl Mosque, was built by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb inside the Red Fort (Lal Qila) complex in Delhi.
• Constructed between 1659 and 1660, it was designed as a private place of worship for the emperor, located west of the Hamam and near the Diwan-i-Khas.
• The mosque is made entirely of white marble, featuring three bulbous domes and a small courtyard surrounded by high walls to ensure the privacy of the royal family.
• While the exterior of the Red Fort is primarily red sandstone, the interior use of white marble in this mosque represents the distinct architectural transition during Aurangzeb's reign.

 Additional Information

• Shah Jahan
• He was the father of Aurangzeb and the builder of the Red Fort itself, the Taj Mahal, and the Jama Masjid.
• Crucially, Shah Jahan also built a Moti Masjid, but it is located within the Agra Fort, not the Delhi Red Fort.
• Akbar
• The third Mughal Emperor who is famous for building the Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, and the Buland Darwaza.
• His architectural style was dominated by the use of red sandstone with minimal marble inlay compared to his successors.
• Shah Alam II
• An 18^th-century Mughal Emperor who reigned during a period of Mughal decline and the rising influence of the British East India Company.
• He did not commission the major structures within the Red Fort, as most were completed during the peak of the Mughal Empire.

The correct answer is Vallabhacharya.

Key Points

• Surdas was a legendary 16^th-century blind devotional poet and musician known for his immense contribution to the Bhakti Movement in North India.
• He was a saguna devotee of Lord Krishna and composed his verses primarily in the Braj Bhasha dialect.
• His spiritual journey reached a turning point when he met the great philosopher and saint Vallabhacharya at Gau Ghat on the banks of the Yamuna River near Agra.
• Vallabhacharya, the founder of the Pushtimarg (Path of Grace) and the Shuddhadvaita (Pure Non-dualism) school of thought, initiated Surdas into his religious order.
• Before meeting his guru, Surdas primarily sang songs of vinaya (humility/pleading), but Vallabhacharya encouraged him to sing the lilas (divine plays) of Krishna, leading to the creation of the monumental work Sursagar.

 Additional Information

• Ashtachhap Poets:
• Surdas was the most prominent member of the Ashtachhap, a group of eight poets established by Vallabhacharya and his son Vitthalnath to perform kirtan at the Shrinathji Temple in Govardhan.
• Ramananda:
• A 14^th-century saint who is credited with bringing the Bhakti movement from South to North India. He was the guru of Kabir, Ravidas, and Sena.
• Ramanujacharya:
• An 11^th-century South Indian theologian and philosopher who propagated Vishishtadvaita (Qualified Non-dualism) and revitalized the Sri Vaishnavism tradition.
• Gyaneshwar:
• A 13^th-century Marathi saint and philosopher of the Varkari tradition who wrote the Dnyaneshwari, a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita.