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The correct answer is Indonesia.

In News

• Indonesia has officially joined BRICS as a full member, confirmed by Brazil's government.

Key Points

• Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous country and has expressed long-standing interest in joining BRICS.
• The BRICS group now includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and Indonesia.
• Indonesia's BRICS membership was approved at the 2023 BRICS summit in Johannesburg and finalized post-2024 presidential election.
• Indonesia’s inclusion is seen as a step to strengthen alliances among emerging nations and promote the goals of the Global South.

Additional Information

• BRICS
• BRICS is a group of major emerging economies, including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and now Indonesia, that aim to reform global governance and strengthen cooperation among developing nations.
• Current Members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and UAE.
• Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and UAE attended their first summit as member states at 2024 summit in Russia.
• It was founded in 16 June 2009.
• Global South
• The Global South refers to countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania that share common challenges related to development, inequality, and global governance reform.

The correct answer is Belgaum, 1924.

Key Points

• In 1924, Mahatma Gandhi presided over the Belgaum session of the Indian National Congress.
• The Belgaum session was the only Congress session presided over by Mahatma Gandhi.

Additional Information

• Annie Besant was President of Congress session at Calcutta in 1917.
• She was the first woman to become Congress President.
• In 1925, Sarojini Naidu was President of the Kanpur session of Congress.
• She was the first Indian woman to become Congress President.
• The 1923 Kakinada session of Congress was presided by Maulana Mohammad Ali and soon after this session, he split from the Congress citing the communal riots.
• Guwahati, Assam hosted the Indian National Congress session for the first time in the year 1926.
• It was presided over by S. Srinivasa Iyengar.
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was President of the INC session held in Karachi in 1931.

The correct answer is Mahatma Gandhi.

Key Points

• Second Round Table Conference (September 1931- December 1931)
• The Second Round Table Conference was held in London from 7 September 1931 to 1 December 1931 with the participation of Gandhi and the Indian National Congress.
• Participants of the Second Round table conference
• British delegates belonging to various political parties including the British Prime
• Minister, James Ramsay Macdonald.
• Indian princely states are represented by Maharajas, princes, and divans.
• British Indians represented by:
• Indian National Congress (INC) – Mahatma Gandhi, Rangaswami Iyengar, Madan
• Mohan Malaviya
• Muslims – Md. Ali Jinnah, Aga Khan III, Muhammad Iqbal, etc.
• Hindus – M R Jayakar, etc.
• Depressed classes – Dr B R Ambedkar
• Women – Sarojini Naidu, etc.
• Liberals, Justice Party, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Parsis, Europeans, Anglo-Indians,
• industry, labour, landlords, Burma, Sindh, and other provinces

Additional Information

• The first Session by presided by W.C. Bannerjee in December 1885 at Bombay.
• The Second Session by presided by Dadabhai Naoroji was held at Calcutta in 1886.
• Mahatma Gandhi presided over the 39^th Session in 1924 In Belgaum, Karnataka.
• 1925: Kanpur. President: Sarojini Naidu, First Indian Woman President.
• 1927: Madras. President: Dr. M.A. Ansari.
• 1931: Karachi. President: Vallabhbhai Patel.
• The early leadership – Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozeshah Mehta, Badruddin Tyabji, W.C. Bonnerji, Surendranath Banerji, Romesh Chandra Dutt, S. Subramania Iyer, among others was largely from Bombay and Calcutta.
• The formation of the Indian National Congress was an effort in the direction of promoting the process of nation-building.

The correct answer is November 1930.

Key Points

• The First Round Table Conference was started in November 1930.
• The three Round Table Conferences of 1930–1932 were a series of peace conferences organized by the British Government and Indian political personalities to discuss constitutional reforms in India.

Additional Information

• First Round Table Conference (November 1930-January 1931)
• The First Round Table Conference was inaugurated by George V on November 12, 1930, in the Royal Gallery House of Lords in London.
• It was chaired by the British Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald.
• It was to discuss the Simon Commission but it was totally boycotted by the Indian National Congress.
• Total 74 delegates attended the First Round Table Conference from India.
• The Indian National Congress had decided not to participate in the conference because many Congress leaders were imprisoned at that time because of participation in Civil Disobedience Movements.
• There were fifty-eight political leaders from British India and sixteen delegates from the princely states.
• In the absence of the Indian National Congress, it was difficult for progress to be made but some advances were made.
• The conference was adjourned to 2 January 1931.

The correct answer is Rishabhdev.

• The first Tirthankara was Rishabnatha or Rishabhadev.
• ​He was considered the founder of Jainism.

Key Points

• According to  Jain texts, there is a tradition of 24 Tirthankars.
• Mahavir Swami was the 24^th Tirthankar.
• He is considered the real founder of Jainism.
• Parshvanath (Parasnath) was the 23^rd Tirthankara of Jainism.
• The discussion of Rishabhdev and Arishtanemi (22^nd Tirthankara) is found in Rigveda.
• The apex ascetics of Jainism were revered as 'Tirthankars'.​

Additional Information

• Ajitnath was the second Jain Tirthankara.
• Parshwanath was the 23^rd Jain Tirthankara.
• Neminath was the 22^nd Jain Tirthankara.

The correct answer is 1998

Key Points

• 1998 is the year when the Konkan Railway was constructed.
• The Konkan Railway is one of the most significant railway projects in India, connecting the western coast of India with the rest of the country.
• It covers the regions of Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka, providing a crucial link for transportation and trade.
• The construction of the Konkan Railway involved numerous engineering challenges, including the construction of numerous tunnels and bridges.

Additional Information

• The Konkan Railway project was initiated to reduce the travel time between Mumbai and Mangalore.
• It is considered a marvel of modern engineering due to the difficult terrain and the extensive use of tunnels and viaducts.
• The railway line significantly boosted the economy of the Konkan region by improving connectivity and transportation of goods and passengers.
• The Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) was established in 1990 to oversee the construction and operation of the railway line.

The correct answer is Mir Qasim, Mughal Emperor Shah Alam & Shuja-ud-daulah of Awadh.

Key Points

• The battle of Buxar was fought on 22^nd October 1764. This battle was crucial for the Britishers since it provided them with full control of Bengal and Bihar.
• It was fought between Hector Munro and the combined forces of Mir Qasim, Mughal Emperor Shah Alam-II & Shuja-ud-daulah of Awadh.
• In this battle, the combined force of Mir Qasim was defeated.
• The Treaty of Allahabad was signed on 12 August 1765 between Robert Clive and Shah Alam II (Mughal emperor).
• Shah Alam II was forced to pay a fine of five million rupees.​

Additional Information

• The battle of Buxar was the outcome of the misuse of Farman and Dastak, and also the trade expansionist aspiration of the English.
• The seeds of the Battle of Buxar were sown after the Battle of Plassey when Mir Qasim became the Nawab of Bengal.
• In the Mughal force, there were 40,000 men in the battle of Buxar, while the English East India Company's Hector Munro's forces included 10,000 men.
• With the defeat of Mir Qasim, the rule of Nawabs came to an end.

The correct answer is Organisation of village panchayats.

Key Points

• Article 40 of the Indian constitution is related to the organization of village panchayats.
• This article directs the state to take steps to organize village panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government.
• The main objective of this article is to promote local self-governance and decentralization of power.
• The village panchayats are responsible for the economic and social development of the village community.

Additional Information

• Protection of life is covered under Article 21 of the Indian constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty.
• Uniform Civil Code is not explicitly mentioned in the Indian constitution, although there is a directive principle (Article 44) that states that the state shall endeavor to secure for the citizens a Uniform Civil Code throughout the territory of India.
• Freedom to manage religious affairs is covered under Article 26 of the Indian constitution, which guarantees the freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion.

The correct answer is Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden.

Key Points

• Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden won the men's doubles title at the Australian Open in January 2024.
• This victory marked Rohan Bopanna's first Grand Slam title in men's doubles.
• Matthew Ebden, an Australian player, secured his second Grand Slam men's doubles title with this win.
• The pair showcased an exceptional synergy and skill throughout the tournament, culminating in their victory.

Additional Information

• Australian Open
• It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments held annually in Melbourne, Australia.
• The tournament is played on hard courts and is the first Grand Slam event of the year.
• It features men's and women's singles, men's, women's, and mixed doubles, and junior's championships.
• The Australian Open is known for its high attendance and is a key event in the tennis calendar.
• Rohan Bopanna
• An Indian professional tennis player specializing in doubles.
• He has been a consistent performer on the ATP Tour and has represented India in various international competitions.
• Bopanna has also been a part of India's Davis Cup team for many years.
• Matthew Ebden
• An Australian professional tennis player with expertise in both singles and doubles.
• He has won multiple titles on the ATP Tour and has represented Australia in the Davis Cup.
• Ebden has a reputation for his strong serve and volley game.
• Grand Slam Titles
• There are four Grand Slam tournaments: Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.
• Winning a Grand Slam title is considered one of the highest achievements in tennis.
• These tournaments offer the most ranking points, prize money, and media attention.

The correct answer is Bhagirathi.

Key Points

• The Gangotri Glacier feeds the "Bhagirathi," Ganga's headwaters.
• At Devaprayag in Uttarakhand, the Alaknanda joins it.
• The Ganga leaves the mountains and enters the plains in Haridwar.
• A number of significant rivers, including the Yamuna, the Ghaghara, the Gandak, and the Kosi, join the Ganga from the Himalayas.
• The Ganges is thought to have its origins in the Bhagirathi in Hindu mythology and culture.

Additional Information

• Mandakini
• ​In the Indian state of Uttarakhand, the Mandakini River is a tributary of the Alaknanda River.
• The river emerges from the Chorabari Glacier and flows for around 81 kilometres (50 miles) between the Rudraprayag and Sonprayag regions.
• The river passes past the Hindu shrine Madhyamaheshwar at Ukhimath before joining the river Songanga at Sonprayag.
• Alaknanda
• ​The Alaknanda is one of the two headstreams of the Ganges, the principal river of Northern India and the holy river of Hinduism.
• It originates in the Himalayas and flows through the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
• Due to its longer length and flow, the Alaknanda is regarded as the Ganges' source stream in hydrology; yet, in Hindu tradition and culture, the Bhagirathi, the other headstream, is regarded as the source stream.