Search Previous Year Questions

The correct answer is Pietermarizburg.

Key Points

• Mahatma Gandhi was evicted from the first class compartment of the train in 1893 due to racial discrimination at Pietermaritzburg railway station in South Africa.
• On 7 June 1893, Mahatama Gandhi was thrown out of the for not giving up his seat after the objection of a European man, as the colored people were not allowed to travel in first class apartments with white people.
• Gandhi in response to this discrimination formed the Natal India congress in 1894 and fought peacefully against racial discrimination by white people, following the philosophy of Satyagraha.
• He also established Phoenix farm in Durban, South Africa in 1904  to explore and spread the philosophy of non-violence and Satyagraha.

Additional Information

• Gandhi returned to India in 1915 and joined the Indian freedom struggle.
• His first Satyagraha was done in Champaran in 1917 against the  British for forceful Indigo Cultivation by Indian peasants.
• WIth the philosophy of non-violence and satyagraha, he played a significant role in the Indian freedom struggle.
• His major movements which led to the strengthening of the Indian freedom struggle were the Khilafat Movement Non-cooperation Movement. ...

Salt March, Quit India Movement.

• He was titled Father Of Nation by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Concept:

• Root hairs are elongation of the epidermis of roots in plants.
• They serve to increase the surface area of absorption by roots.

Explanation:

• Root hairs are fine and delicate, thread-like structures.
• They possess vacuoles as they absorb lots of water and minerals
• Cell wall and nucleus are also present.
• However, they lack chloroplast.
• Chloroplast contains the pigment chlorophyll which is a green-coloured pigment responsible for photosynthesis.
• Since root hairs are non-green tissue with no photosynthesis hence chloroplast is absent.

∴ Root hair does not contain chloroplast.

Additional Information

Chloroplast: 

• The chloroplast is an organelle that contains the photosynthetic pigment chlorophyll that captures sunlight and converts it into useful energy, thereby, releasing oxygen from water.
• Chloroplasts are found in all green parts of plants and algae.
• They are the food producers of plants.
• These are found in the guard cells located in the leaves of the plants.
• They contain a high concentration of chlorophyll that traps sunlight.
• This cell organelle is not present in the roots of plants and animal cells.

The correct answer is Bihar.

Key Points

• Manjusha art is folk art from Bhagalpur, Bihar, and dates back to the 7^th century. It is also called scroll painting.
• The name Manjusha is also associated with an elaborate story, a goddess and a festival celebrated in Bhagalpur.
• The Sanskrit word "Manjusha" means a box and manjus are temple-shaped boxes, made of bamboo, jute-straw and paper, inside which devotees keep their ceremonial contents. However, these boxes are illustrated with pictures that tell a story.
• The story is of Bihula who saved her husband from the wrath of the deity and snakebite and also of Bishehari or Manasa, the serpent goddess who is known for her anger when she is angry, but also has fierce protection when she is pleased. Is.
• The festival of Bishahri is celebrated every year on 17 and 18 August. During this puja, two things are made during this puja. One is "Kalash" and the other is Manjusha.​

Additional Information

The correct answer is Fat

Key Points

• The nutrient that acts as a cushion to the vital organs and protects them from shocks and external injuries is fat (specifically, adipose tissue).
• Fat provides insulation and serves as a protective cushion around organs such as the kidneys and heart,
• It helps to absorb shocks and reduce the risk of injury.
• In addition to fat, protein also plays a role in protecting vital organs.
• For example, muscle tissue provides structural support and can help protect organs from physical impact.

Additional InformationOther roles of fat in the body include:

1. Energy storage: Fat acts as a major source of energy.
2. Thermal insulation: Fat helps maintain body temperature by acting as an insulator.
3. Absorption of fat-soluble vitamins: Fat is essential for the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Moreover, the connective tissue, which contains collagen and elastin proteins, provides structural support to organs and tissues, although it's not classified as a nutrient per se. The combination of these structures, along with fat, ensures that organs are both protected and properly supported within the body.

The age range of 13 to 21 years is most commonly associated with adolescence in developmental psychology.

Key Points

• Adolescence is typically defined as the period of life between childhood and adulthood.
• It begins around the age of 13 and generally ends around 21 years of age, marking the transition from childhood to adulthood.
• During this phase, individuals undergo significant physical, emotional, cognitive, and social changes, such as puberty, identity development, and increasing independence.

Thus, it is concluded that Normally the ‘Adolescence' falls under 13- 21 years.

The correct answer is Alexander Fleming.

• Penicillin fungi are the source of penicillin.
• People take this antibiotic either orally or through injection.
• Alexander Fleming was the one who discovered Penicillin.
• It is not humans who are attaining resistance against the antibiotic, rather the bacteria.
• It is not because the bacteria is absorbing the antibiotic that they are becoming resistant to it.

The correct answer is Olivia Dean.

Key Points

• The 68^th annual Grammy Awards were held on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, honoring the best musical achievements released during the 2025 eligibility year.
• Olivia Dean emerged as the winner in the Best New Artist category, a major feat in the General Field of the awards. She was recognized for her soulful vocals and the significant commercial and critical breakthrough of her music during the 2025 period. Hence, the option Olivia Dean is the correct answer.
• The Best New Artist category is designed for a performer who releases, during the Eligibility Year, the first recording which establishes their public identity. It is one of the most prestigious "Big Four" categories alongside Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year.
• In the 68^th edition, the eligibility rules required that an artist must have released a minimum of five singles/tracks or one album and must not have been entered in this category more than three times previously.
• Other nominees like Leon Thomas, Addison Rae, and Lola Young were also strong contenders who demonstrated exceptional growth in their respective genres, but Olivia Dean's overall impact and artistic breakthrough were deemed the most significant by the Recording Academy voters.

Additional Information

• The Recording Academy:
• Founded in 1957, it is a United States-based organization of music professionals, including performers, songwriters, producers, and engineers. It is the body responsible for organizing the Grammy Awards.
• The Recording Academy aims to improve the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Its headquarters are located in Santa Monica, California.
• Grammy Award History:
• The first Grammy Awards ceremony was held on May 4, 1959, simultaneously in Los Angeles and New York City. It was originally called the Gramophone Awards.
• The trophy is a gilded gramophone, handcrafted by Billings Artworks in Colorado. It represents excellence in the recording arts and sciences.
• Nomination and Voting Process:
• Entries are submitted by members and record companies. They are then screened for eligibility and genre placement by experts.
• The voting is conducted by Voting Members of the Recording Academy, ensuring a peer-reviewed selection process that emphasizes technical proficiency and artistic integrity over chart positions or sales figures.
• Geographical Significance:
• Los Angeles serves as the primary hub for the ceremony, reflecting its status as a global center for the entertainment and music industry. The 68^th Grammys continued this tradition, drawing thousands of international industry leaders to the city.

Important Points

• Best New Artist Evolution: Over the years, the Recording Academy has updated the rules for this category to reflect the changing nature of the music industry, such as removing the strict limit on the number of albums released to accommodate the rise of streaming and EPs.
• Cultural Impact: Winning a Grammy often results in a significant "Grammy Bump," where an artist's sales, streaming numbers, and touring opportunities increase substantially due to the global visibility of the event.
• The "Big Four": The Best New Artist award is unique because it can only be won once in a performer's career, unlike the other three General Field categories which can be won multiple times.

The correct answer is Tungsten.

Key Points

• Tungsten, also known as Wolfram (chemical symbol W and atomic number 74), is used almost exclusively for the filaments of incandescent lamps because it has the highest melting point of all metals, measured at approximately 3422°C (6192°F).
• This extremely high melting point allows the filament to be heated to incandescence (the emission of light caused by heat) without the metal melting or losing its structural shape.
• It possesses very low vapor pressure at high temperatures, which is a critical feature. This property prevents the filament from evaporating rapidly, which would otherwise lead to the thinning of the wire and the blackening of the inner glass surface of the bulb.
• Tungsten has high electrical resistance. When an electric current passes through the thin filament, the resistance generates significant heat energy, which then produces visible light through thermal radiation.
• The metal is highly ductile, meaning it can be drawn into extremely fine wires. In most bulbs, this wire is coiled (or double-coiled) to increase the length of the filament within a small space, thereby increasing the light output and efficiency.

Additional Information

• Copper (Option A): Copper is a reddish-brown metal known for its excellent electrical conductivity. It is the standard material for electrical wiring and electronics worldwide. However, with a melting point of only 1085°C, it would melt long before it could reach the temperatures necessary to emit bright light.
• Gold (Option B): Gold is a noble metal that is highly malleable and resistant to oxidation and corrosion. It is used in high-end connectors and aerospace components. Its melting point is 1064°C, making it unsuitable for lamp filaments despite its good conductivity.
• Silver (Option C): Silver has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of all elements. It is used in jewelry, high-grade mirrors, and specialized electronics. Because its melting point is relatively low at 961.8°C, it cannot be used as a filament material.
• Inert Gas Filling: To protect the Tungsten filament from oxidation (burning), incandescent bulbs are either vacuum-sealed or filled with inert gases like Argon, Nitrogen, or Krypton. These gases help slow down the evaporation of Tungsten atoms, extending the lifespan of the bulb.
• Tungsten Ores: Tungsten is primarily found in minerals such as Wolframite and Scheelite. China is currently the world’s leading producer of this metal, accounting for over 80% of the global supply.

Important Points

• Historical Context: Early incandescent lamps used carbonized filaments (invented by Joseph Swan and Thomas Edison in 1879). Tungsten filaments were introduced around 1904 by Sándor Just and Ferenc Hanaman, which revolutionized the industry by being more efficient and durable.
• Energy Efficiency: Conventional incandescent bulbs are considered energy-inefficient as they convert only about 5% to 10% of electricity into visible light, while the rest is wasted as heat.
• Modern Transition: Due to high energy consumption, many countries have implemented government regulations to phase out incandescent bulbs in favor of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs), which provide similar lumens at a fraction of the wattage.
• Other Applications: Besides bulbs, Tungsten’s high density and hardness make it useful in military projectiles, X-ray tubes, TIG welding electrodes, and cutting tools (as Tungsten Carbide).

The correct answer  is Laws of thermodynamics

Key Points

• A steam engine operates based on the "Laws of thermodynamics" principle.
• A steam engine converts heat energy from steam into mechanical work,
• It aligns with the fundamental concept of thermodynamics regarding energy transfer and conversion.
• The steam engine is based on the zeroth,first and second laws of thermodynamics.

Additional Information

• The laws of thermodynamics govern the behavior of energy and matter in a system.
• They are fundamental principles that apply to various physical processes. Here are the four laws:
• Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics:
• If two systems are each in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are in thermal equilibrium with each other.
• This law allows the definition of temperature. It forms the basis for temperature measurement and establishes that temperature is a transitive property.
• First Law of Thermodynamics (Law of Energy Conservation):
• Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.
• Second Law of Thermodynamics:
• The entropy of an isolated system always increases over time.
• This law suggests that natural processes tend to move towards a state of greater disorder or randomness.
• It also implies that heat flows from hot objects to cold objects and that no process can be 100% efficient.
• Third Law of Thermodynamics:
• As the temperature of a system approaches absolute zero (0 K), the entropy of the system approaches a minimum constant.
• This law implies that it is impossible to reach absolute zero in a finite number of steps, and at absolute zero, a perfect crystal would have zero entropy

The correct answer is Jaimini.

Key Points

• The Purva Mimansa school of philosophy traces its origins back to Jaimini, who founded it in ancient India around 400 B.C..
• Jaimini is renowned as the author of the Mimansa Sutra, a seminal text in Hindu philosophy.
• This school of thought, Purva Mimansa, places significant emphasis on the importance of yajnas (ritual sacrifices) and mantras (sacred utterances) in upholding the cosmic order.
• It asserts that human salvation can only be achieved by adhering to the principles laid down in the Vedas. Mimamsa is classified as one of the six orthodox schools of Indian philosophy, alongside Nyaya-vaisheshika systems.
• It underscores the significance of valid knowledge and holds that the Vedas are timeless repositories of all knowledge. According to Mimamsa philosophy, religion entails fulfilling the duties prescribed by the Vedas.

Important Points

• Krishna Dvaipayana, commonly known as Vyasa or Vedavyasa, is a revered sage in various Hindu traditions, prominently recognized as the author of the epic Mahābhārata.
• Kapila, also known as Cakradhanus, is another esteemed sage in Hindu lore. According to the Bhagavata Purana, he is the son of the sage Kardama and Devahuti, who was the daughter of Svayambhuva Manu and the sister of Mahasati Ansuya.
• Patanjali, alternatively referred to as Gonardiya or Gonikaputra, is renowned as a Hindu author, mystic, and philosopher. Although the exact timeframe of his life remains uncertain, estimates based on the analysis of his works suggest that he may have lived between the 2^nd century BCE and the 4^th century CE.