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The correct answer is option 1.

Key Points

• Statement 1: Speaker has to be the member of the house within six months, he assumes office.
• Not True
• This condition does not apply to the Speaker.
• A non-member cannot be elected as Speaker.
• Only a sitting Member of the Lok Sabha can be elected as the Speaker.
• So, there is no provision that allows a non-member to become Speaker and then get elected within six months (unlike a minister under Article 75(5)).
• Statement 2: He remains Speaker so long as he is member of the house.
• True
• The Speaker continues in office as long as they are a member of the Lok Sabha and have not resigned or been removed.
• Statement 3: Speaker continues in office even if Lok Sabha is dissolved.
• True
• Article 94: The Speaker does not vacate office immediately upon dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
• They continue until the first meeting of the new Lok Sabha and the election of a new Speaker.
• Statement 4: Speaker can be removed by the members of Lok Sabha.
• True
• The Speaker can be removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the Lok Sabha under Article 94(c).
• 14 days' notice is required.
• Conclusion:
• Statement 1 is incorrect and hence the correct answer.
• The Speaker must be a member of the Lok Sabha at the time of election, not later.

The correct answer is Frequency.

Concept:

Sound

• Sound is a form of energy that produces a sensation of hearing in our ears.
• Sound is produced by vibrating objects.
• The matter or substance through which sound is transmitted is called a medium. It can be solid, liquid, or gas.
• It travels in the form of longitudinal waves (Compression or rarefaction).

Explanation:

• The pitch of the sound is determined by frequency.
• If the frequency of vibration is higher, the sound is shrill and has a higher pitch.
• If the frequency of vibration is lower, the sound has a lower pitch.
• For example, A bird makes a high-pitched sound whereas a lion makes a low-pitched roar. However, the roar of a lion is very loud while the sound of the bird is quite feeble.

Thus, the pitch of the sound is determined by frequency. 

Additional InformationAmplitude:

• The maximum amount of displacement of the medium particles from their mean position is called the amplitude of the wave.
• The amplitude of a sound determines its loudness.
• The sound produced is loud when the amplitude of the vibration is large.
• The sound produced is weak when the amplitude is low.

Intensity:

• The amount of sound energy passing each second through a unit area is called the intensity of sound.

Loudness:

• The loudness of sound is proportional to the square of the amplitude of the vibration producing the sound.
• The loudness of sound depends on its amplitude.

The Correct answer is Article 143.

Key Points

• Article 143 of the Indian Constitution empowers the President of India to seek the advisory opinion of the Supreme Court on any question of law or fact.
• This provision is classified under the Advisory Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
• The President can refer matters that are of public importance or cases where it is essential to have the advice of the apex court.
• This article is divided into two clauses:
• Clause 1: The President may seek advice on questions of law or fact.
• Clause 2: The President may also seek advice on disputes arising out of pre-constitutional treaties, agreements, or other similar matters.
• The Supreme Court’s advice under Article 143 is not binding on the President.
• Examples of cases under Article 143 include:
• The Berubari Union Case, where the Supreme Court was consulted on the implementation of the Indo-Pakistani agreement.
• The Ayodhya Dispute, where the President sought the Supreme Court’s opinion on religious and historical issues.
• This article reflects the unique relationship between the Executive and Judiciary in India, ensuring that critical legal questions are addressed appropriately.

 Additional Information

• Article 141
• Article 141 states that the law declared by the Supreme Court is binding on all courts within the territory of India.
• This article ensures the uniformity and finality of legal principles across the judicial system.
• It does not deal with the advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
• Article 129
• Article 129 declares the Supreme Court as a court of record.
• As a court of record, the Supreme Court has the power to punish for its contempt.
• This article deals with the judicial authority of the Supreme Court, not the advisory jurisdiction.
• Article 148
• Article 148 deals with the appointment, duties, and powers of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.
• The CAG is responsible for auditing all expenditures of the government and ensuring financial accountability.
• This article is unrelated to the President’s ability to seek advice from the Supreme Court.

The correct answer is Ibrahim Lodhi.

Key Points:

• The final Lodi Sultan of Delhi was Ibrahim Lodi, Sikandar's oldest son.
• He possessed the traits of a great warrior, yet his judgement and behaviour were hasty and impolite.
• His effort at royal absolutism was ill-timed, and his programme of ruthless repression without accompanying steps to fortify the government and boost military capabilities was bound to be unsuccessful.
• Ibrahim endured many uprisings while keeping the opposition at bay for almost ten years.
• He spent the majority of his reign fighting with the Afghans and the Mughal Empire and died trying to save the Lodi dynasty from extinction.
• At the Battle of Panipat in 1526, Ibrahim was defeated.

**Additional Information:**Bahlol Lodhi:

• During the administration of Muhammad Shah of the Sayyid dynasty, Bahlol Khan Lodhi replaced Malik Sultan Shah Lodi as the governor of Sirhind in (Punjab), India.
• He was Malik Sultan Shah Lodi's nephew and son-in-law.
• He was elevated to the rank of Tarun-Bin-Sultan by Muhammad Shah.​

Daulat Khan Lodhi:

• ​When Ibrahim Lodi, the last monarch of the Lodi dynasty, was in power, Daulat Khan Lodhi served as the city's governor.

Sikander Lodhi:

• ​After his father's passing on July 17, 1489, Sikandar Khan Lodi, the second son of Bahlol, succeeded him and assumed the title, Sikandar Shah.
• On July 15, 1489, he was crowned sultan by his father, who had nominated him to be his successor.

The correct answer is 'Relative Humidity'

Key Points

• Relative Humidity:
• Relative humidity is the ratio of the current absolute humidity to the highest possible absolute humidity (which depends on the current air temperature).
• It is expressed as a percentage, indicating how much moisture is in the air compared to how much moisture the air can hold at that temperature.
• Relative humidity gives a measure of the amount of water vapor in the air relative to the maximum amount the air can hold at the same temperature.
• This measure is crucial for understanding weather conditions, comfort levels, and the likelihood of precipitation.

Additional Information

• Absolute Humidity:
• Absolute humidity is the total mass of water vapor present in a given volume of air.
• It is usually expressed in grams of water vapor per cubic meter of air (g/m³).
• This measure does not change with temperature, making it less useful for everyday weather observations and forecasts.
• Specific Humidity:
• Specific humidity is the ratio of the mass of water vapor to the total mass of the air parcel.
• It is expressed as grams of water vapor per kilogram of air (g/kg).
• This measure remains constant regardless of changes in temperature or pressure, making it useful for meteorological studies.
• Mixing Ratio:
• The mixing ratio is the mass of water vapor compared to the mass of dry air in a given air parcel.
• It is usually expressed in grams of water vapor per kilogram of dry air (g/kg).
• This measure is important in the study of the atmosphere and weather patterns.

Important Points

• Understanding relative humidity is essential for predicting weather conditions such as fog, dew, and heat index.
• Relative humidity affects human comfort; high humidity can make temperatures feel warmer than they actually are.
• It also plays a significant role in various industries, such as HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), agriculture, and manufacturing.

The correct answer is Aundh, 6^th Edition.

In News

• The 6^th edition of India-Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise DUSTLIK commenced at the Foreign Training Node in Aundh, Pune on April 16, 2025.

Key Points

• DUSTLIK-VI is the 6^th edition of the joint military exercise between India and Uzbekistan.
• It is being held from April 16 to 28, 2025, at the Foreign Training Node, Aundh (Pune), Maharashtra.
• The exercise focuses on joint sub-conventional operations in a semi-urban scenario, including counterterrorism, reconnaissance, and drone operations.
• The last edition of the exercise was held in Termez District, Uzbekistan in April 2024.

Additional Information

• Exercise DUSTLIK
• An annual bilateral military training exercise between Indian Army and Uzbekistan Army.
• Started in 2019 with the first edition held in Uzbekistan.
• Conducted alternately in India and Uzbekistan to enhance military cooperation and interoperability.
• Foreign Training Node, Aundh
• A premier training facility in Pune, Maharashtra, used by Indian Armed Forces for international joint exercises.

The correct answer is Maharashtra.

Key Points

• As per the Census 2011, Maharashtra is the second most populous state in India.
• The population of Maharashtra as per Census 2011 is approximately 112.4 million.
• Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state, with a population of around 199.8 million.
• Other populous states include Bihar and West Bengal, but Maharashtra ranks second in terms of population.

Additional Information

• Census 2011
• The Census 2011 is the 15^th National Census survey conducted by the Census Organization of India.
• The census data includes demographic, social, and economic information of the population.
• It is conducted every 10 years to provide a snapshot of the country's population and its characteristics.
• Population Density
• Population density refers to the number of people living per unit area, usually per square kilometer.
• In 2011, the population density of India was 382 persons per square kilometer.
• Bihar is the most densely populated state with a density of 1,106 persons per square kilometer.
• Urbanization
• Urbanization refers to the increasing population in urban areas compared to rural areas.
• Maharashtra has a high rate of urbanization, with major cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur contributing significantly to its population.
• As of Census 2011, about 45% of Maharashtra's population resides in urban areas.
• Economic Contributions
• Maharashtra is one of the most economically significant states in India, contributing about 15% to the country's GDP.
• The state has a diverse economy with key industries such as manufacturing, IT, and finance.
• Mumbai, the capital city, is known as the financial capital of India.

The correct answer is Limestone.

Key Points

• Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound.
• The chemical formula of Calcium carbonate is CaCO₃.
• Limestone is a common type of carbonate sedimentary rock.
• It is a sedimentary rock made of calcium carbonate.
• Limestone may contain considerable amounts of magnesium carbonate (dolomite) as well.
• Limestone is used in the production of cement by heating powdered limestone with clay.
• Around 71% of all crushed stone produced in the U.S. is either limestone or dolomite.

Additional Information

• Washing soda is sodium carbonate containing 10 molecules of water of crystallisation(Na₂CO3.10H₂O).
• Sodium hydrogen carbonate is the chemical name of baking soda(NaHCO₃).
• Table salt consists of two elements, sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl).

The correct answer is MNREGA.

Key Points

• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) is a flagship scheme by the Government of India aimed at providing guaranteed 100 days of wage employment per financial year to rural households.
• It was launched in 2005 under the Ministry of Rural Development.
• The scheme is demand-driven, meaning employment is provided upon request, ensuring work opportunities for rural households.
• Under MNREGA, employment is provided for unskilled manual labor, focusing primarily on building rural infrastructure such as roads, irrigation facilities, and water conservation structures.
• The scheme plays a critical role in poverty alleviation, rural development, and empowering marginalized communities, including women and Scheduled Castes/Tribes.

Additional Information

• Key Features of MNREGA:
• Focuses on sustainable development and asset creation such as water conservation and afforestation.
• Wages are paid according to minimum wage rates as notified by the state government.
• Payment is made through direct benefit transfer (DBT) into workers' bank accounts to ensure transparency.
• Employment Guarantee:
• MNREGA ensures legal entitlements for rural households to demand work.
• If employment is not provided within 15 days of demand, workers are entitled to unemployment allowance.
• Social Impact:
• Empowers women by providing equal wage opportunities and increased participation in the workforce.
• Promotes financial inclusion by providing work opportunities and wages directly to rural households.
• Monitoring and Implementation:
• Implemented by Gram Panchayats, ensuring local governance and accountability.
• Regular social audits are conducted to ensure transparency and prevent corruption.

The correct answer is Finance Commission.

Key Points

• The Finance Commission is a constitutional body established under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution to recommend financial relations between the Union and the States.
• Under Article 275, the Finance Commission recommends statutory grants to states to ensure balanced regional development and mitigate disparities.
• These grants are given to states that require financial assistance to meet specific needs, such as social welfare, infrastructure development, or education.
• The Finance Commission submits its recommendations to the President, which are then tabled in Parliament for implementation.
• The grants are unconditional and are intended to supplement the resources of the states to enable them to perform their constitutional responsibilities.

Additional Information

• Finance Commission:
• Constituted every five years or earlier as deemed necessary by the President.
• Composed of a Chairperson and four other members with expertise in public finance and governance.
• The 15^th Finance Commission, chaired by N.K. Singh, submitted its report for 2021-26.
• Article 275:
• Empowers Parliament to make grants-in-aid to states, as recommended by the Finance Commission.
• These grants aim to promote the welfare of Scheduled Tribes and develop their areas.
• Role of the Ministry of Finance:
• Although the Finance Commission makes recommendations, the Ministry of Finance oversees the disbursement of grants to states.
• It ensures that funds are allocated as per constitutional provisions and Commission recommendations.
• Difference from NITI Aayog:
• NITI Aayog focuses on policy formulation and cooperative federalism, while the Finance Commission deals with financial resource allocation.
• NITI Aayog does not have a constitutional mandate to recommend statutory grants.