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The Correct answer is Ustad Bismillah Khan.

Key Points

• Ustad Bismillah Khan was a legendary Indian musician known for his mastery of the shehnai, a traditional Indian wind instrument.
• He was born on 21 March 1916 in Dumraon, Bihar, India.
• Bismillah Khan is often referred to as the "Shehnai Maestro" and is credited with popularizing the shehnai as a classical instrument.
• He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 2001.
• Bismillah Khan's performances were known for their emotional depth and technical brilliance.
• He performed at the Red Fort on the eve of India's Independence in 1947, marking a significant moment in Indian history.

 Additional Information

• Pandit Ravi Shankar
• Pandit Ravi Shankar was a renowned sitar virtuoso and composer, who played a significant role in popularizing Indian classical music worldwide.
• He was born in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
• He collaborated with several Western musicians, including George Harrison of The Beatles.
• Pandit Shivkumar Sharma
• Pandit Shivkumar Sharma is an Indian music composer and santoor player.
• He was born in Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
• He is credited with making the santoor a popular classical instrument.
• Ustad Zakir Hussain
• Ustad Zakir Hussain is a world-renowned tabla virtuoso.
• He was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
• He is known for his work in both Indian classical music and world music.

Given:

Marked Price (M) = ₹100 (Assumed)

Case 1: Single Discount = 15%

Case 2: Successive Discounts = 10% and 5%

Formula used:

Discounted Price after successive discounts = M × (1 - Discount1) × (1 - Discount2)

Calculations:

Case 1:

Discount = 15%

Discounted Price = M × (1 - 15/100)

⇒ Discounted Price = ₹100 × 0.85

⇒ Discounted Price = ₹85

Total Discount = M - Discounted Price

⇒ Total Discount = ₹100 - ₹85

⇒ Total Discount = ₹15

Case 2:

Successive Discounts = 10% and 5%

Discounted Price = M × (1 - 10/100) × (1 - 5/100)

⇒ Discounted Price = ₹100 × 0.9 × 0.95

⇒ Discounted Price = ₹85.5

Total Discount = M - Discounted Price

⇒ Total Discount = ₹100 - ₹85.5

⇒ Total Discount = ₹14.5

Comparison: Case 1 Discount = ₹15, Case 2 Discount = ₹14.5

∴ 15% discount is greater than successive discounts of 10% and 5%.

Reasoning:

The successive discount is applied on the already discounted amount, reducing the overall discount.

Both the assertion and the reason are individually true, and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.

∴ The correct answer is option 1.

Given:

Increase = 20%

Decrease = 15%

Final number - Original number = 98

Formula Used:

After increase: New = Original × (1 + %Increase/100)

After decrease: New = Previous × (1 - %Decrease/100)

Calculation:

⇒ Let the original number = x

⇒ After 20% increase: x × (1 + 20/100) = x × 1.2

⇒ After 15% decrease: 1.2x × (1 - 15/100) = 1.2x × 0.85

⇒ 1.2 × 0.85 × x = 1.02x

⇒ New number = 1.02x

⇒ New number - Original = 1.02x - x = 0.02x

⇒ 0.02x = 98

⇒ x = 98 ÷ 0.02

⇒ x = 4900

∴ The correct answer is 4900.

The correct chronological order of the given events is III - I - IV - II

Key Points

• First Battle of Panipat:
• The First Battle of Panipat took place in 1526, near Panipat, which is now in the modern-day state of Haryana, India.
• It was fought between the forces of the Mughal Emperor Babur and the army of the Delhi Sultanate, led by Sultan Ibrahim Lodi.
• Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi and his Afghan supporters in this battle.
• Battle of Khanua:
• The Battle of Khanua was fought in 1527, between the forces of the Mughal Emperor Babur and the Rajput king Rana Sanga of Mewar, near the town of Khanua in present-day Rajasthan, India.
• Babur defeated Rana Sanga, Rajput rulers and allies at Khanua.
• Battle of Chausa:
• The Battle of Chausa was fought in 1539, between the forces of the Mughal Emperor Humayun and Sher Shah Suri, who was the governor of Bihar and a prominent Afghan noble of the Sur dynasty.
• In the battle, Sher Shah's army, which included a large number of Afghan and Rajput soldiers, was able to defeat the Mughal army, which was much larger in number but lacked coordination and discipline.
• Battle of Kanauj:
• The Battle of Kanauj was fought between the forces of Sher Shah Suri, the ruler of the Sur Empire, and the army of the Mughal Emperor Humayun in 1540.
• Humayun was defeated in this battle which forced him to flee to Iran.

Therefore the correct chronological order of the given events related to Mughal Empire is:

III. First Battle of Panipat

I. Battle of Khanwa

IV. Battle of Chausa

II. Battle of Kanauj

The correct answer is Petroleum.

Key Points

• Petroleum
• Petroleum is commonly known as Liquid gold.
• Due to the fact that crude oil turns black when it is removed from the ground, petroleum is also known as "black gold."
• Petroleum is a liquid that naturally exists below the surface of the planet.

Additional Information

• Natural Gas:
• In terms of environmental impact and air pollution, natural gas is generally considered cleaner compared to diesel, petroleum, and coal.
• Natural gas emits fewer pollutants, including sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter, and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), compared to the other options listed.
• Coal:
• Coal is a black or brown flammable substance found in sedimentary rocks.
• Coal is mainly composed of elements like carbon, hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen.
• Uranium:
• ​It is a silvery-white metallic chemical element in the periodic table, with atomic number 92.
• It is assigned the chemical symbol ‘U’.
• A uranium atom has 92 protons and 92 electrons, of which 6 are valence electrons.
• Uranium has the highest atomic weight (19 kg m) of all naturally occurring elements.

The correct answer is Both I and II

Key Points

• The Sundarban Delta is situated adjacent to the Bay of Bengal formed by a concourse of the Ganges, Padma, Hooghly, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers.
• It is the world’s largest delta.
• ‘Sundari’ is the most abundant tree in this region.
• These trees can grow up to a height of 60 feet with a girth of six feet.
• The timber obtained from this tree is used for boatbuilding and joinery, bridge-building, house construction, utility poles and tool handle.
• In Bengali, the word ‘Sundari’ means beautiful and ‘ban’ means forest. Hence, the name ‘Sunderban’.

The correct answer is London and New York.

Key Points

• The Global Cities Index, published by Oxford Economics, ranks cities based on various parameters such as economic strength, innovation, infrastructure, culture, and quality of life.
• London and New York frequently top such rankings due to their global influence, robust economies, and cultural significance.
• London is renowned for being a leading financial hub, housing institutions like the London Stock Exchange and significant cultural landmarks, making it a prominent choice in global rankings.
• New York City, similarly, is an economic powerhouse, hosting the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and being a center for media, arts, and innovation.
• These cities consistently rank at the top due to their diverse populations, advanced infrastructure, and strategic global connectivity.
• The Global Cities Index evaluates over 100 cities worldwide, measuring their impact on global affairs through contributions to economic activity, political engagement, and social development.
• London and New York are viewed as benchmarks for urban development, offering insights into how cities can thrive in the 21^st century.
• Hence, the correct answer is London and New York.

Additional Information

• Global Cities Index:
• The Global Cities Index by Oxford Economics evaluates cities based on their ability to attract and retain talent, businesses, and investors.
• Factors considered include economic output, innovation, cultural diversity, political engagement, and livability.
• The index reflects how cities contribute to the global economy and their roles in shaping international trends.
• Characteristics of Top Cities:
• London: Known for its finance, arts, and historical heritage, London is home to globally renowned institutions and a diverse population.
• New York City: Often called the "capital of the world", NYC is a leader in finance, entertainment, technology, and culture.
• Tokyo: A key city in Asia, Tokyo is a hub for technology and innovation, but it has not surpassed London and New York in global rankings.
• Paris: Known for its cultural influence, Paris ranks high in quality of life and tourism, but lacks the economic power of London and New York.
• Beijing: A political and economic center in China, it is rising in global influence but has not yet matched London or New York's status.

Important Points

• Key Features of London and New York:
• London: Houses the headquarters of many multinational corporations and is a leader in banking, education, and tourism.
• New York: Known for Wall Street, Broadway, and the United Nations headquarters, making it a center for finance, arts, and diplomacy.
• Global Influence of Cities:
• Cities like London and New York set trends in urban development and serve as models for other cities worldwide.
• Their ability to attract global talent and investment ensures their continued dominance in global rankings.

The correct answer is 3.0%.

In News

• The growth rate of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for March 2025 is 3.0%.

Key Points

• The IIP growth rate for March 2025 stands at 3.0%, which is slightly up from 2.9% in February 2025.
• The growth rates for the sectors in March 2025 were: Mining 0.4%, Manufacturing 3.0%, and Electricity 6.3%.
• The IIP for March 2025 stands at 164.8 compared to 160.0 in March 2024.
• The top three contributors to growth within the manufacturing sector were basic metals, motor vehicles, and electrical equipment.

Additional Information

• Use-Based Classification of IIP
• Growth in Primary Goods: 3.1%, Capital Goods: 2.4%, Intermediate Goods: 2.3%, Infrastructure/Construction Goods: 8.8%.
• Growth in Consumer Durables: 6.6%, while Consumer Non-Durables recorded a decrease of -4.7%.
• Key Industry Group Contributors
• Manufacture of Basic Metals: 6.9%, Manufacture of Motor Vehicles: 10.3%, Manufacture of Electrical Equipment: 15.7%.
• Future Estimates
• The indices for April 2025 will be released on 28^th May 2025.
• Further updates will include data revisions and detailed insights from different industrial sectors.

Taxes on family is not the regular taxes collected by the rulers of Mahajanapadas.

Key Points

• About 2500 years ago, some janapadas became more important than others, and were known as mahajanapadas.
• As the rulers of the mahajanapadas were (a) building huge forts (b) maintaining big armies, they needed more resources.
• Hence, they started collecting regular taxes. These include:
• Taxes on crops - These taxes were very important because most people were farmers. Usually, the tax was fixed at 1/6^th of what was produced. This was known as bhaga or a share.
• Taxes on craft persons - The taxes on craft persons could have been in the form of labour. For example, a weaver or a smith may have had to work for a day every month for the king.
• Taxes on herders - Herders were also expected to pay taxes in the form of animals and animal produce.
• Taxes on goods - There were also taxes on goods that were bought and sold, through trade.
• Taxes on hunters and gatherers - They also had to provide forest produce to the raja.

Based on the above points, we can conclude that taxes on family is not the regular taxes collected by the rulers of Mahajanapadas.

Additional Information

• A map showing the important Janapadas, Mahajanapadas and Cities:

The correct answer is Magnifying power of microscope will decrease but that of telescope will increase.

Key Points

• The magnifying power of a microscope is determined by the focal length of its objective lens and the eyepiece. If the focal length of the objective lens increases, the ability of the lens to magnify decreases. This is because a longer focal length results in a lower angular magnification.
• The magnifying power of a telescope depends on the ratio of the focal length of the objective lens to the focal length of the eyepiece. As the focal length of the objective lens increases, the magnification of the telescope increases. This happens because a longer focal length allows the telescope to collect more light and provide a higher angular resolution.
• Microscope: Decreasing the magnifying power affects its capability to observe smaller objects in greater detail. Hence, the statement about the microscope’s magnifying power decreasing is correct.
• Telescope: Increasing the magnifying power enhances the ability to observe distant celestial objects. Hence, the statement about the telescope’s magnifying power increasing is correct.
• Thus, the correct combination aligns with option 1, as the magnifying power of the microscope decreases, and that of the telescope increases.

Additional Information

• Magnifying Power of Microscope:
• The magnifying power of a microscope is the product of the magnifications of the objective lens and the eyepiece.
• It is given by the formula: Magnification = (L / fₒ) * (D / fₑ), where L is the tube length, fₒ is the focal length of the objective lens, D is the least distance of distinct vision (usually 25 cm), and fₑ is the focal length of the eyepiece.
• A shorter focal length of the objective lens results in higher magnification.
• Magnifying Power of Telescope:
• The magnifying power of a telescope is given by the formula: Magnification = fₒ / fₑ, where fₒ is the focal length of the objective lens and fₑ is the focal length of the eyepiece.
• A longer focal length of the objective lens increases the magnifying power.
• This makes telescopes ideal for observing distant objects, such as stars and planets.
• Applications:
• Microscopes: Used in biology, medicine, and research to observe microscopic organisms and structures.
• Telescopes: Used in astronomy for observing celestial bodies like planets, stars, and galaxies.
• Key Differences:
• A microscope is designed for close-up observation, while a telescope is meant for long-distance observation.
• The focal length of the objective lens plays a contrasting role in determining magnification in these two instruments.

Important Points

• Microscope Magnification: A shorter focal length objective lens results in a smaller image distance, providing higher magnification for observing minute details.
• Telescope Magnification: A longer focal length objective lens collects more light, providing better resolution and greater magnification for distant objects.
• Practical Usage: Microscope magnification is limited by the resolution of light, while telescopes are used to view faint objects by collecting more light.
• Optical Design: The design of the lenses differs to cater to their specific purposes, with microscopes focusing on short distances and telescopes on long distances.