General Awareness PYQs

The correct answer is The minimum income level considered necessary for a basic standard of living.

Key Points

• The poverty line is a monetary threshold used by governments and international organizations to identify individuals or households whose income or consumption expenditure falls below the amount required to satisfy basic necessities like food, clothing, and shelter.
• It serves as a benchmark to measure absolute poverty, ensuring that the population above this line can afford a minimum nutritional intake and essential non-food requirements.
• In India, the calculation is often linked to calorie requirements; traditionally, it is set at 2,400 calories per day in rural areas and 2,100 calories in urban areas, reflecting the higher physical labor performed in villages.
• The Headcount Ratio (HCR) is the percentage of the population living below this line, providing a snapshot of the prevalence of poverty within a geopolitical boundary.
• Determining this line allows for the effective implementation of Targeted Public Distribution Systems (TPDS) and other social safety nets.

 Additional Information

• Methodological Evolution in India:
• Dadabhai Naoroji: The first to conceptualize the poverty line in India through his book 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India' using a 'jail cost of living' approach.
• Expert Groups: Various committees like the Alagh Committee (1979), Lakdawala Committee (1993), Tendulkar Committee (2009), and Rangarajan Committee (2014) have revised the methodology to include health and education expenses.
• Global Standards:
• The World Bank defines the International Poverty Line, currently set at $2.15 per person per day (based on 2017 Purchasing Power Parity), to monitor extreme poverty globally.
• Conceptual Clarifications:
• Average Income: Also known as Per Capita Income, this measures the mean income of a nation and does not account for income inequality or subsistence needs.
• National Debt: Refers to the total public debt or liabilities incurred by a central government, which is a macroeconomic indicator unrelated to individual welfare thresholds$.

The correct answer is Diamonds.

Key Points

• Panna, located in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, is the only district in India where diamonds are extracted on a commercial scale, earning it the title of 'City of Diamonds'.
• The diamond-bearing area is part of a vast belt that extends approximately 240 kilometers across the Vindhyan Range, with major deposits concentrated in the Majhgawan area.
• The Majhgawan diamond mine is the only mechanized diamond mine in the country and is operated by the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), producing high-quality gems and industrial-grade stones.
• Geologically, these precious stones are found within Kimberlite pipes, conglomerate layers, and alluvial gravels that date back millions of years.
• The mining process in Panna involves both large-scale industrial operations and small-scale shallow mines leased to local miners by the state government’s Diamond Office.

 Additional Information

• Copper:
• The Malanjkhand copper belt in the Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh is the largest open-cast copper mine in India, contributing significantly to the nation's total output.
• Coal:
• Madhya Pradesh possesses vast coal reserves, particularly in the Singrauli, Sohagpur, and Kanhan-Pench valley regions, which feed numerous thermal power plants.
• Gold:
• While Madhya Pradesh has minor occurrences, major gold production in India is historically dominated by the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) and the Hutti Gold Mines in Karnataka.

The correct answer is Maharashtra.

Key Points

• The Godavari River, known as the largest Peninsular river in India, originates from the Brahmagiri hills at Trimbakeshwar. This location is situated in the Nashik district of the state of Maharashtra.
• It flows for a total length of approximately 1,465 kilometers before draining into the Bay of Bengal. Due to its massive length and the large area it covers, it is frequently referred to as the Dakshin Ganga (Ganges of the South) or Vridha Ganga.
• The river basin is the second largest in India, covering about 10 percent of the country's total geographical area. About 50 percent of its catchment area lies within Maharashtra, while the rest is shared among Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
• The major tributaries of the Godavari include the Purna, the Wardha, the Pranhita, the Manjra, the Wainganga, and the Penganga.

 Additional Information

• Karnataka
• Although a small portion of the Godavari basin extends into northern Karnataka, the river does not originate here. Significant peninsular rivers like the Krishna (at Mahabaleshwar, though Mahabaleshwar is in Maharashtra) and the Cauvery (at Brahmagiri in Kodagu) have major associations with Karnataka's geography.
• Andhra Pradesh
• The Godavari forms a large delta in the East Godavari and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh before entering the sea. It is a vital source of irrigation for the state's agriculture, but it originates much further west.
• Odisha
• The Indravati and Sabari rivers, which are important tributaries of the Godavari, drain parts of Odisha. However, the main stem of the river does not originate in this state.

The correct answer is Sharavathi.

Key Points

• Jog Falls, also famously known as Gersoppa Falls and Jogada Gundi, is situated on the Sharavathi River in the Sagara taluk of the Shimoga (Shivamogga) district in Karnataka.
• It is recognized as one of the highest plunge waterfalls in India, featuring a massive drop of approximately 253 meters (830 feet) from the rocky bed of the river.
• The waterfall is unique because it does not flow down the rocks in a tiered fashion; instead, it thunders down the slope as a segmented waterfall consisting of four distinct cascades named Raja, Roarer, Rocket, and Rani.
• The Sharavathi River originates at Ambutirtha in Thirthahalli taluk and flows for about 128 kilometers before emptying into the Arabian Sea at Honnavar in Uttara Kannada district.
• The falls are also associated with the Mahatma Gandhi Hydroelectric Project, which has been operational since 1948, utilizing the massive water force for electricity generation.

 Additional Information

• Kaveri River:
• It is a major sacred river of South India, originating at Talakaveri in the Kodagu district.
• It forms the famous Shivanasamudra Falls, which is the second-largest waterfall in India and the site of Asia's first major hydroelectric power station established in 1902.
• Krishna River:
• One of the longest rivers in India (approximately 1,400 km), originating at Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra.
• It flows through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh before reaching the Bay of Bengal.
• Tungabhadra River:
• A chief tributary of the Krishna River, formed by the union of the Tunga and Bhadra rivers at Koodli.
• The historic city of Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located on its banks.
• Linganamakki Dam:
• Constructed across the Sharavathi River in 1964, this dam is the primary reservoir for the Sharavathi Hydroelectric Project and significantly regulates the water flow to Jog Falls.

The correct answer is Musi.

Key Points

• The city of Hyderabad, which is the capital of the southern Indian state of Telangana, is historically and geographically situated on the banks of the Musi River.
• The Musi River is a significant tributary of the Krishna River and flows through the heart of the Deccan Plateau region.
• The river originates in the Ananthagiri Hills located in the Vikarabad district of Telangana and traverses approximately 240 kilometers before merging with the Krishna River at Wazirabad.
• The river acts as a geographical divider between the historic Old City, featuring landmarks like the Charminar and Mecca Masjid, and the modern urban developments on the northern bank.
• During the reign of the Nizam of Hyderabad, major flood control structures like the Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar dams were built on the Musi and its tributary, the Esi, respectively.
• Therefore, the correct option is 3.

 Additional Information

• Godavari River:
• Known as the Dakshina Ganga, it is the largest river in Peninsular India and originates at Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra.
• Major cities located on its banks include Nashik, Nanded, and Rajahmundry.
• Krishna River:
• It is one of the longest rivers in India, originating near Mahabaleshwar in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra.
• It flows through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, supporting cities like Vijayawada.
• Tungabhadra River:
• Formed by the confluence of the Tunga and Bhadra rivers at Koodli, it is a major tributary of the Krishna River.
• The historic ruins of Hampi, the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, are located on its banks.

The correct answer is To measure CO_2 and water-vapour fluxes.

Key Points

• The Eddy Covariance (EC) tower established at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU) in Pusa, Bihar, is a specialized environmental monitoring facility funded by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• The primary function of this tower is the high-frequency, continuous measurement of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) and water-vapour fluxes as they move between the agricultural land surface and the atmosphere.
• By monitoring these fluxes, scientists can calculate the Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE), which identifies whether the specific crop-land area in the Indo-Gangetic Plain is functioning as a carbon source or a carbon sink.
• This initiative is a critical component of the National Carbon Project (NCP), which operates under the broader ISRO Geosphere Biosphere Programme (ISRO-GBP) to study the carbon cycle and climate change impacts.
• The data generated by the EC tower assists in evaluating the carbon sequestration potential of different cropping systems and helps in developing sustainable agricultural practices in the region.

 Additional Information

• Eddy Covariance Methodology:
• It is a micrometeorological technique that correlates rapid changes in vertical wind speed with rapid changes in gas concentration to determine the turbulent flux of gases.
• Key instruments used on the tower include a 3D Sonic Anemometer for wind components and an Open-Path Infrared Gas Analyzer (IRGA) for gas concentrations.
• Scientific Significance:
• The measurements help in calculating Evapotranspiration (ET), which is vital for understanding the water requirements of crops and improving Water Use Efficiency (WUE).
• The tower provides essential ground-truth data required to validate satellite-based observations and global biogeochemical models that predict future climate scenarios.
• The Indo-Gangetic Plain is one of the most productive agricultural regions globally, making the tracking of its greenhouse gas (GHG) balance essential for national food security and environmental policies.

The correct answer is 2 - 22 kev.

Key Points

• The Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer (SoLEXS) is a specialized instrument integrated into India's maiden solar mission, Aditya-L1, which is stationed at the Lagrangian Point 1.
• It is designed to measure the Solar Soft X-ray flux in the energy range of 1 keV to 22 keV (specifically categorized as 2 - 22 kev in this context) to monitor the X-ray emissions from the Sun.
• The primary scientific objective of SoLEXS is to study the mechanisms behind coronal heating and the characteristics of solar flares by providing high spectral and temporal resolution data.
• The payload utilizes Silicon Drift Detectors (SDDs), which allow it to observe the Sun as a star and provide a continuous X-ray spectrometer record of solar flare events.
• By observing the soft X-ray spectrum, SoLEXS helps researchers understand the thermal properties of the solar corona during both quiet and active phases of the solar cycle.

 Additional Information

• Aditya-L1 Mission Payloads:
• HE1OS (High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer): Operates in the hard X-ray band, covering an energy range from 10 keV to 150 keV to study high-energy solar flares.
• VELC (Visible Emission Line Coronagraph): Designed to image the solar corona and study Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) in visible light.
• SUIT (Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope): Captures images of the solar photosphere and chromosphere in the 200 - 400 nm ultraviolet wavelength range.
• PAPA (Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya): Analyzes solar wind composition and energy distribution of electrons and ions.
• ASPEX (Aditya Solar wind Particle Experiment): Studies solar wind particles, specifically protons and heavier ions.
• Mission Importance: Launched by ISRO using the PSLV-C57 launch vehicle on September 2, 2023, Aditya-L1 provides a continuous view of the Sun without any eclipses or occultations.

The correct answer is 0.685.

Key Points

• The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index released annually by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to rank countries based on human development achievements.
• For the 2025 Human Development Report, India recorded an HDI value of 0.685, which places the nation firmly within the Medium Human Development category.
• This value of 0.685 signifies a significant improvement from previous years (such as the 2022 score of 0.644), reflecting progress across health, education, and economic indicators.
• The score is calculated based on three fundamental dimensions: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge, and a decent standard of living.
• The increase to 0.685 is attributed to the rise in Life Expectancy at Birth (approximately 67.7 to 68 years) and the growth in Gross National Income (GNI) per capita.
• Therefore, the correct option is 2.

 Additional Information

• Core Dimensions of HDI:
• Health: This is assessed by Life Expectancy at Birth. It reflects the overall mortality level and the quality of healthcare services available in the country.
• Education: This dimension is measured through two indicators: Mean Years of Schooling (average years of education received by people aged 25 and older) and Expected Years of Schooling (years of schooling a child of school-entrance age can expect to receive).
• Standard of Living: This is measured by the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita at Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in international dollars.
• HDI Classification Tiers:
• Very High Human Development: HDI score of 0.800 and above.
• High Human Development: HDI score between 0.700 and 0.799.
• Medium Human Development: HDI score between 0.550 and 0.699. India currently resides in this bracket with 0.685.
• Low Human Development: HDI score below 0.550.
• UNDP Context: The United Nations Development Programme, headquartered in New York City, introduced the HDI in 1990, developed by economists Mahbub ul Haq and Amartya Sen, to shift the focus of development economics from national income accounting to people-centered policies.

The correct answer is A group of Indian Industrialists.

Key Points

• The Bombay Plan was a set of economic proposals for the development of post-independence India, formally titled 'A Brief Memorandum Outlining a Plan of Economic Development for India'.
• It was published in January 1944 by eight leading Indian industrialists: J.R.D. Tata, G.D. Birla, Purshottamdas Thakurdas, Lala Shri Ram, Kasturbhai Lalbhai, A.D. Shroff, Ardeshir Dalal, and John Mathai.
• The plan advocated for a significant state intervention in the economy, arguing that the private sector lacked sufficient capital to build heavy industries and infrastructure.
• The primary objective of the plan was to achieve a 100 percent increase in per capita income and a 200 percent increase in national income over a period of 15 years.
• It laid the conceptual foundation for the mixed economy model and state-led planning that India adopted after 1947.

 Additional Information

• Planning Commission:
• Formed in March 1950 by a cabinet resolution, this body was responsible for drafting India's Five-Year Plans under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister.
• Gandhian Plan:
• Presented by Shriman Narayan Agarwal in 1944, it focused on decentralization, agricultural development, and the promotion of cottage industries.
• People's Plan:
• Developed by M.N. Roy in 1945 on behalf of the Indian Federation of Labour, it prioritized socialism and the nationalization of land.
• British Government:
• While the British Raj established a Planning and Development Department in 1944 under Ardeshir Dalal, the Bombay Plan itself was a private initiative by capitalists.

The correct answer is 1953.

Key Points

• Air India was originally established as Tata Airlines in 1932 by the legendary industrialist J.R.D. Tata, initially operating as a mail carrier before evolving into a commercial airline.
• Following World War II and India's independence, the Government of India decided to nationalize the aviation sector to ensure uniform growth and strategic control over air transport.
• The Air Corporations Act was passed by the Indian Parliament in 1953, which mandated the acquisition of all existing private airline companies by the state.
• On August 1, 1953, the government formally took over the airline, leading to the creation of two separate entities: Indian Airlines for domestic routes and Air India International for long-haul global operations.
• Despite the nationalization, J.R.D. Tata was appointed as the Chairman of the newly formed corporation, a position he held for several decades, ensuring the airline maintained its reputation for world-class service.

 Additional Information

• Structural Evolution of Air India:
• The Air Corporations Act resulted in the merger of eight domestic airlines, including Deccan Airways and Bharat Airways, into the state-owned Indian Airlines.
• In 1960, Air India became the first Asian airline to enter the Jet Age by inducting the Boeing 707 into its fleet, facilitating faster international travel.
• The iconic Maharajah mascot, synonymous with Indian hospitality, was designed in 1946 and became the face of the airline's global branding post-nationalization.
• After 69 years of state ownership, Air India was officially returned to the Tata Group (via Talace Private Limited) in January 2022, marking a significant privatization milestone in Indian aviation history.

The correct answer is Decimal Coinage System.

Key Points

• India transitioned to the Decimal Coinage System on 1^st April 1957, which revolutionized the monetary structure of the country.
• Prior to this reform, the Indian currency followed a non-decimal base where 1 Rupee was equivalent to 16 Annas, and each Anna was further subdivided into 4 Pice or 12 Pies.
• The legislative framework for this change was the Indian Coinage (Amendment) Act, 1955, which empowered the government to adopt a metric-style currency division.
• Under the new system, the Indian Rupee was divided into 100 units, which were initially termed Naya Paisa (New Paisa) to distinguish them from the older denominations.
• The term Naya remained in official use for seven years until it was eventually dropped in June 1964, leaving the unit simply as Paisa.
• This shift simplified accounting, trade, and financial calculations, aligning India with the global standard of decimal-based transactions.

 Additional Information

• Barter System:
• An ancient method of exchange where goods and services are directly traded for other goods or services without the use of a monetary medium.
• Gold Standard:
• A monetary system where the value of a currency is directly linked to a specific amount of gold. While India had historical links to gold-based values, it did not shift to this system in 1957.
• Digital Currency:
• A modern form of electronic money. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently introduced the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), known as the e-Rupee, through a pilot program launched in 2022.

The correct answer is Daisy Rockwell.

Key Points

• Daisy Rockwell is an esteemed American translator, painter, and writer who has significantly contributed to bringing Hindi and Urdu literature to a global audience.
• In 2022, she made history by becoming the first translator of a Hindi novel to win the International Booker Prize.
• She shared this prestigious award with the Indian author Geetanjali Shree for the novel Tomb of Sand, which is the English translation of the Hindi work Ret Samadhi.
• The victory was a landmark event for Indian literature, as it was the first time a book originally written in any Indian language received the International Booker Prize.
• The novel explores themes of border crossing, gender, and aging through the story of an 80-year-old woman who travels to Pakistan to confront the trauma of the Partition.

 Additional Information

• International Booker Prize:
• Established in 2005, it is awarded annually for a single book translated into English and published in the United Kingdom or Ireland.
• The 50,000 GBP prize money is shared equally between the author and the translator to emphasize the collaborative nature of translated fiction.
• Arunava Sinha:
• A prominent translator who primarily translates Bengali literature (classic and contemporary) into English, with over 70 translated titles to his credit.
• Lakshmi Holmstrom:
• A celebrated British-Indian writer and translator who was a pioneer in translating Tamil literature into English, including works by Bama and Ambai.
• Deepa Bhasthi:
• A writer and translator known for her work in Kannada literature, bridging the linguistic gap for regional South Indian stories.

The correct answer is Pull factors.

Key Points

• Migration is driven by two primary sets of forces known as push and pull factors, which determine the movement of people between rural and urban areas or different countries.
• Pull factors represent the positive aspects or attractions of a destination that encourage individuals to move there voluntarily to improve their quality of life.
• Better job opportunities and the promise of higher wages in cities are major economic drivers that attract surplus labor from rural regions.
• The availability of superior education facilities, including specialized universities and vocational training centers, acts as a powerful magnet for the youth seeking skill development.
• Advanced health facilities, such as multi-specialty hospitals and better emergency care, serve as critical social pull factors that ensure a higher standard of living and security.
• Other significant pull factors include political stability, religious freedom, and improved infrastructure like better housing and transport networks.

 Additional Information

• Push Factors:
• These are negative conditions in a person's place of origin that compel them to leave.
• Common examples include unemployment, poverty, war, political instability, and lack of basic amenities.
• Natural Factors:
• Refers to environmental conditions such as climate change, earthquakes, or floods that trigger migration.
• These often act as environmental push factors, forcing populations to relocate due to resource scarcity or safety concerns.
• Negative Factors:
• Often used interchangeably with push factors, these create an unfavorable environment for survival or growth.
• Examples include high crime rates, social discrimination, or poor governance in the source region.

The correct answer is 2045.

Key Points

• The National Population Policy (NPP) 2000 was formulated by the Government of India to provide a policy framework for imparting free and compulsory school education up to 14 years of age and reducing infant and maternal mortality.
• The long-term objective of the NPP 2000 is to achieve a stable population by the year 2045, which is defined as a level consistent with the requirements of sustainable economic growth, social development, and environmental protection.
• The policy identified population stabilization as a crucial goal to ensure that the benefits of economic progress are not diluted by a rapidly increasing number of people.
• The medium-term objective of the policy was to bring the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) to replacement level (2.1 children per woman) by 2010 through vigorous implementation of inter-sectoral operational strategies.
• The immediate objective involved addressing the unmet needs for contraception, health care infrastructure, and health personnel, and providing integrated service delivery for basic reproductive and child health care.

 Additional Information

• Key Targets of NPP 2000:
• Reducing the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) to below 30 per 1000 live births.
• Reducing the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) to below 100 per 100,000 live births.
• Achieving universal immunization of children against all vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Promoting delayed marriage for girls, preferably after the age of 18 and ideally after 20 years.
• Achieving 100 percent registration of births, deaths, marriages, and pregnancies.
• Preventing and controlling communicable diseases, especially AIDS and sexually transmitted infections.
• The National Commission on Population, chaired by the Prime Minister, was established to monitor and guide the implementation of this policy across various states.

The correct answer is Kathakali.

Key Points

• Kathakali is a major classical dance-drama form that originated in the state of Kerala during the 17^th century.
• It is distinguished by its highly stylized facial expressions, known as Mukha Abhinaya, which are used to convey the Navarasas (nine fundamental human emotions).
• The Navarasas performed in this dance include Shringara (love), Hasya (contempt/mirth), Karuna (pity), Raudra (anger), Veera (valor), Bhayanaka (fear), Beebhatsa (disgust), Adbhuta (wonder), and Shanta (peace).
• Performers undergo rigorous training to control facial muscles and eye movements (Nethra Abhinaya) to express complex emotions without speaking a single word.
• The dance is also famous for its elaborate makeup (Vesham) and heavy costumes, where different colors represent specific character types, such as Pacha (green) for noble characters and Kathi (knife) for villains.
• Therefore, the dance form that uses these highly stylized expressions to convey emotions is Kathakali, making Option 3 the correct choice.

 Additional Information

• Kathak:
• Origin: North India (primarily Uttar Pradesh).
• Features: Known for its intricate footwork (Tatkar), rapid pirouettes (Chakkars), and its history as a storytelling medium in temples and Mughal courts.
• Odissi:
• Origin: Odisha.
• Features: Characterized by the Tribhanga posture (independent movement of head, chest, and pelvis) and its lyrical, fluid movements depicting sculpturesque poses.
• Manipuri:
• Origin: Manipur.
• Features: Primarily focuses on Raslila (devotional themes of Radha-Krishna) and is marked by soft, graceful movements and the use of the Potloi (cylindrical skirt).

The correct answer is Banking and Financial Sector.

Key Points

• The Narasimham Committee I was constituted in August 1991 by the Government of India under the chairmanship of M. Narasimham, the 13^th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), to modernize the financial system.
• Its primary objective was to improve the efficiency, productivity, and profitability of the banking sector following the 1991 Balance of Payments crisis.
• Key recommendations of the 1991 report included a phased reduction of the Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) and Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) to free up bank resources for commercial lending.
• The Narasimham Committee II (1998), known as the Banking Sector Reforms Committee, focused on structural changes and recommended the merger of strong public sector banks to create global-sized entities.
• It introduced the concept of Capital to Risk-weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) and advocated for the establishment of Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs) to manage Non-Performing Assets (NPAs).

 Additional Information

• M. Narasimham:
• Known as the Father of Banking Reforms in India, his work led to the adoption of Basel Norms and the entry of new private sector banks.
• He played a crucial role in shifting the Indian banking system from social banking to a more market-oriented and competitive structure.
• Other Sector-Specific Committees:
• Agriculture: The M.S. Swaminathan Committee (2004) recommended reforms regarding minimum support prices and sustainable farming practices.
• Education: The Kothari Commission (1964-66) provided the first comprehensive blueprint for the national system of education in India.
• Railways: The Bibek Debroy Committee (2015) suggested reforms for the liberalization of the railway sector and independent regulation.

The correct answer is Bangladesh.

Key Points

• The Maitri Setu is a 1.9-kilometre-long bridge built over the Feni River, which flows between the Indian boundary in Tripura and Bangladesh.
• It connects Sabroom in South Tripura, India, with Ramgarh in Bangladesh, serving as a vital link for cross-border trade and transit.
• The bridge was inaugurated virtually on March 9, 2021, by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
• The name 'Maitri Setu' translates to 'Friendship Bridge', symbolizing the strengthening bilateral relations and growing diplomatic ties between the two nations.

 Additional Information

• Strategic Significance:
• The bridge provides Northeast India access to the Chittagong Port in Bangladesh, which is located just 80 kilometres from Sabroom.
• It has effectively transformed Tripura into the 'Gateway of the Northeast' by providing landlocked states a shorter route to international maritime trade routes.
• The project was executed by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) at an approximate cost of 133 Crore.
• Geographical Context:
• The Feni River originates in the South Tripura district, passes through Sabroom town, and flows into Bangladesh before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
• Other neighboring countries like Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar do not share a border involving the Feni River or the specific connectivity infrastructure of the Maitri Setu.

The correct answer is 1990.

Key Points

• Kabaddi made its competitive debut as a regular medal event at the 11^th Asian Games held in Beijing, China, in 1990.
• The Indian Men’s Kabaddi Team secured the first-ever Gold Medal in the tournament by finishing at the top of the standings in a round-robin format.
• During this inaugural tournament, India demonstrated absolute dominance by defeating nations such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, Japan, and Nepal.
• Before its official inclusion in 1990, Kabaddi had been featured as a demonstration sport in the 1951 New Delhi and 1982 New Delhi Asian Games to showcase the sport to a wider international audience.

 Additional Information

• Historical Dominance:
• Following the 1990 victory, India established a legendary winning streak, capturing seven consecutive Gold Medals in the men’s category from 1990 to 2014.
• The streak was interrupted during the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, where Iran won the gold and India took the bronze.
• Women’s Kabaddi:
• Women’s Kabaddi was introduced much later, making its debut at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games.
• The Indian Women’s Team followed the men’s legacy by winning the inaugural gold medal in 2010 and defending it in 2014.
• Governance and Format:
• The sport is governed globally by the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) and domestically by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), established in 1973.
• The Asian Games typically follow the National Style Kabaddi, which is played on a rectangular mat measuring 13 × 10 meters for men.

The correct answer is State Highways.

Key Points

• State Highways are arterial roads of a state that serve the primary purpose of connecting the State Capital with various District Headquarters and other important cities or towns within the state.
• These roads are vital for intra-state commerce and administrative mobility, acting as the secondary system of roads in the country.
• The construction and maintenance of these roads are the responsibility of the State Public Works Department (SPWD) in respective States and Union Territories.
• They also provide essential connectivity by linking with National Highways, ensuring that district-level traffic can access the primary national grid.
• According to the Nagpur Road Plan classification, these roads are designed to carry heavy traffic within the state borders and are usually identified by specific state-prefix numbering.

 Additional Information

• National Highways:
• These are the primary road systems that connect major cities, state capitals, and ports across different states.
• They are maintained by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
• District Roads:
• These roads connect the District Headquarters with other significant places, towns, and villages within the same district.
• The management and upkeep of these roads are handled by the Zila Parishad.
• Border Roads:
• These are strategically important roads located in the Northern and North-eastern border regions of the country.
• The Border Roads Organization (BRO), established in 1960, is responsible for their construction to boost economic development and military preparedness in difficult terrains.

The correct answer is Abanindranath Tagore.

Key Points

• The painting Bharat Mata was created by Abanindranath Tagore in 1905, during the height of the Swadeshi Movement following the Partition of Bengal.
• The artwork portrays a four-armed ascetic woman dressed in saffron robes, symbolizing the spirit of the nation as a nurturing yet detached mother figure.
• The four objects held in her hands represent different aspects of national life: a book for education and secular knowledge, sheaves of paddy for food and prosperity, a mala (rosary) for spiritual strength, and a white cloth for clothing and dignity.
• Originally titled Bangamata (Mother Bengal), the painting was later renamed Bharat Mata by the social activist and disciple of Swami Vivekananda, Sister Nivedita, to give it a pan-Indian appeal.
• The painting utilized the Wash Technique, a style influenced by Japanese traditions, which helped define the aesthetic of the Bengal School of Art and countered the dominant Western Academic Realism of the colonial era.

 Additional Information

• Nandalal Bose:
• A prominent student of Abanindranath Tagore and a key figure in the Bengal School.
• He is famous for decorating the original manuscript of the Constitution of India and creating the Haripura Posters for the 1938 Congress session.
• Gaganendranath Tagore:
• The brother of Abanindranath, he is often considered the first artist to experiment with Cubism in India.
• He was well-known for his satirical cartoons and sketches that critiqued the social and political life of colonial Bengal.
• Asit Kumar Haldar:
• An influential artist and educator who was the first Indian principal of the Government School of Arts and Crafts in Lucknow.
• He played a vital role in documenting the ancient frescoes of the Ajanta and Bagh Caves.