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The Correct answer is Nitrogen.

Key Points

• Nitrogen does not have allotropes.
• An allotrope refers to different structural forms of the same element in the same physical state. For example, Carbon exists as allotropes such as diamond, graphite, and graphene.
• However, Nitrogen exists primarily as a diatomic molecule (N₂) under standard conditions and does not form other molecular structures or allotropes.
• This is because of the strong triple bond between the two nitrogen atoms in N₂, which makes it highly stable and less likely to form other allotropes.
• The diatomic nitrogen molecule is a key component of the Earth's atmosphere, constituting approximately 78% of its composition.
• Nitrogen is essential in various biological processes, such as the formation of amino acids, DNA, and RNA, but its lack of allotropes distinguishes it from other elements.

Additional Information

• Oxygen
• Oxygen has multiple allotropes, including dioxygen (O₂) and ozone (O₃).
• Ozone is an important allotrope that forms a protective layer in the atmosphere, shielding the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
• Sulphur
• Sulphur exhibits several allotropes, such as rhombic sulphur and monoclinic sulphur.
• These allotropes differ in their crystal structures and stability under specific temperature and pressure conditions.
• Carbon
• Carbon is well-known for its diverse allotropes, including diamond, graphite, graphene, fullerenes, and carbon nanotubes.
• These allotropes exhibit a wide range of physical and chemical properties, making carbon one of the most versatile elements.

The correct answer is Conservation of energy.

Key Points

• Bernoulli's principle is derived from the conservation of energy, specifically applied to fluid dynamics.
• It states that for an incompressible, non-viscous fluid, the total mechanical energy (pressure energy, kinetic energy, and potential energy) remains constant along a streamline.
• The principle is expressed as: P + ½ρv² + ρgh = constant, where P is pressure, ρ is fluid density, v is fluid velocity, g is gravitational acceleration, and h is height.
• The conservation of energy ensures that as the velocity of a fluid increases, its pressure decreases, and vice versa, under steady flow conditions.
• The principle is widely used in applications such as aerodynamics, hydraulics, and engineering designs like airplane wings, venturi meters, and fluid pumps.

Additional Information

• Streamline: A path followed by fluid particles, where the velocity at every point is tangent to the path.
• Incompressible Fluid: A fluid with constant density, often assumed in Bernoulli's principle for simplification.
• Non-viscous Fluid: A fluid with negligible internal friction, ensuring ideal flow conditions for the application of Bernoulli's principle.
• Applications: Bernoulli's principle explains phenomena like lift in airplane wings, functioning of carburetors, and the operation of venturi tubes.
• Limitations: The principle does not apply to compressible fluids, turbulent flows, or situations involving significant viscous forces.

The correct answer is Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare.

In News

• The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare conducted the workshop to enhance write-up submissions for the Anubhav Awards 2025.
• All write-ups published between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025 will be eligible for consideration.
• Awardees and industry leaders provided insights on improving the quality of submissions.
• The goal is to increase participation from retiring and retired government employees, encouraging them to share their experiences.

Key Points

• Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare oversees pension policies for central government employees and organizes programs like the Anubhav Awards.
• Anubhav Awards celebrate notable write-ups from retiring government staff, showcasing their experiences and contributions.
• The workshop aims to improve quality and encourage a higher number of submissions, thus promoting knowledge-sharing and best practices.

Additional Information

• Purpose of Anubhav Awards
• Encourage retiring employees to record and share their experiences, knowledge, and achievements.
• Foster a culture of learning and appreciation for public service contributions.
• Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare
• Works under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions.
• Formulates pension policies and procedures to ensure the welfare of retired employees.

The Correct Answer is 52^nd.

Key Points

• Anti-defection Law​
• The anti-defection law deals with situations of defection in Parliament or state legislatures by:
• (a) members of a political party,
• (b) independent members,
• (c) nominated members.
• The term defection indicates revolt, dissent, and rebellion by a person or a party.
• Generally defection refers to leaving an association to join another.
• In political scenario it is a situation when a member of a political party leaves his party and joins hands with other parties.
• The main aim of this schedule was to prevent the political defections and to strengthen democracy by bringing stability in politics and make members of parliament more responsible and loyal to their parties.
• Political defection means a member of a political party changes his party voluntarily or on other grounds.
• It also provides procedure by which a legislator may be disqualified on the ground of defection by the presiding officer of the legislature.
• This Schedule is applicable on both Central and State legislature.​​​​

Additional Informatio

• ​Amendment in the Constitution of India:​
• Article 368 in Part XX deals with the powers of Parliament to amend the Constitution and its procedure.
• Parliament cannot amend those provisions which form the 'basic structure of the Constitution'. (Kesavananda Bharti Case)
• The amendment of the Constitution can be initiated by the introduction of a bill in either house of the Parliament. (does not in the legislature)
• The bill can be introduced either by a minister or by a private member. (does not require prior permission of the President)
• It must be passed in each house by a special majority. (the majority of the total membership of the house and a majority of 2/3^rd of the members of the house present and voting)
• Each house must pass the bill separately. (no provision for joint sittings)
• If the bill is for amending the federal structure of the Constitution, then it must be ratified by the legislature of half of the states by a simple majority. (the majority of the members of the house present and voting)
• President must give his assent to the bill. (neither withhold his assent nor return the bill)
• After the assent of the President, the bill becomes an Act.

The correct answer is Definition of 'State'.

Key Points

Article 12 defines the state in the following manner

In this part, unless the context otherwise requires, "the State" includes the Government and Parliament of India and the Government and the Legislature of each of the States and all local or other authorities within the territory of India or under the control of the Government of India.

The following entities are also included in the concept of "State" under Article 12: Railway Board, Electricity Board, Judiciary, University, State Bank of India (SBI).

• The Supreme Court in the case of Rajasthan Electricity Board v. Mohan Lal laid down the conclusive test for determining the bodies that would come under the ambit of ‘other authorities’.
• The court held that if an authority has the power to issue directions and any offense against them is punishable by law has the power to make rules that would have statutory effect is an agency or instrumentality of state for carrying out trade or business which otherwise would have been carried out by the state departments, such authorities would come within the purview of ‘other authorities’ and hence would be considered ‘state’.
• In the case of A.R. Antulay v. R.S. Nayak, the Court established that the “State” as per Article 12 of the Indian Constitution will include courts only when they are performing non-judicial functions and not while they are performing their judicial functions.
• Therefore, in general case judiciary is not included under the definition of State.
• The University of Madras v. Shanta bai AIR 1954 – Supreme Court held that the university formed under Madras Act, falls under the definition of the state. Court laid down the Latin term EJUSDEM GENERIS means (of the same kind). It was held that the Preceding government is sovereign, government, and parliament, government, and state legislature and local authorities.
• But University as a general does not fall under the definitions of "State". As it will include private universities. And private universities are not state.
• In Umesh v. V.N. Singh, AIR 1986, the Patna High Court, following the decision of the Supreme Court, has held that the Patna University is "a State".
• The Madras High Court held that SBI is a "State" under Article 12 because it is an instrumentality of the government and has a number of public functions.

The correct answer is Customs Duty.

Key Points

• Customs Duty is an example of an indirect tax, which is levied on goods imported or exported from a country.
• It is paid by the importer or exporter but is indirectly passed on to the end consumer as part of the product's cost.
• Customs Duty is a significant source of revenue for the government and helps regulate international trade.
• This tax is usually based on the value, weight, or quantity of the goods and may vary depending on the type of product and country of origin.
• Examples of indirect taxes include Goods and Services Tax (GST), Excise Duty, and Customs Duty, as opposed to direct taxes like Income Tax and Property Tax.

Additional Information

• Indirect Tax:
• An indirect tax is collected by an intermediary (like a retailer) from the person who bears the ultimate economic burden of the tax (typically the consumer).
• Examples: GST, VAT, Excise Duty, and Customs Duty.
• Direct Tax:
• A direct tax is directly paid to the government by the individual or organization on whom it is imposed.
• Examples: Income Tax, Property Tax, and Corporate Tax.
• Customs Duty in India:
• The Customs Act, 1962 governs the levy and collection of customs duties in India.
• It includes Basic Customs Duty (BCD), Countervailing Duty (CVD), and Special Additional Duty (SAD).
• Purpose of Indirect Taxes:
• Generate government revenue.
• Regulate trade and consumption of goods.
• Encourage domestic production by imposing higher duties on imports.

The correct answer is Attorney General of India

Key Points

• The Attorney General of India is appointed by the President of India under Article 76 of the Indian Constitution.
• The Attorney General is the highest law officer in the country and serves as the chief legal advisor to the government of India.
• He/she represents the government of India in legal matters and performs duties of a legal character as assigned by the President.
• The Attorney General has the right to participate in the proceedings of both Houses of Parliament but does not have the right to vote.
• The position of the Attorney General is not a full-time engagement, and the person holding the office can practice privately as well, provided it does not conflict with the duties of the office.

Additional Information

• The Chief Election Commissioner is appointed by the President of India but is not related to Article 76.
• The Comptroller & Auditor General of India is also appointed by the President but under Article 148.
• The Chief Justice of India is appointed by the President under Article 124.
• The Attorney General holds office during the pleasure of the President and can be removed by the President at any time.
• The appointment of the Attorney General is usually for a term of three years, which can be extended.

The correct answer is Aurobindo Ghosh.

Key Points

• The Alipore Bomb Case of 1908 was one of the most prominent trials during the Indian independence movement, involving revolutionaries accused of conspiring to overthrow British rule.
• Aurobindo Ghosh, a key figure in the Indian freedom struggle, was arrested and tried for his alleged role in the conspiracy.
• The case centered around the bomb that was intended to target a British official but instead killed two innocent women in Muzaffarpur.
• Aurobindo Ghosh was eventually acquitted due to lack of evidence, but the case marked a turning point in his life as he shifted from active politics to spiritual pursuits.
• His defense lawyer, Chittaranjan Das, famously described Aurobindo as "the poet of patriotism" and "the prophet of nationalism."

Additional Information

• Aurobindo Ghosh: Known for his revolutionary activities and later as a spiritual leader, he founded the Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry.
• The Anushilan Samiti: A secret revolutionary organization involved in the Alipore Bomb Case, aimed at overthrowing British rule through armed struggle.
• Chittaranjan Das: A prominent lawyer and nationalist leader who defended Aurobindo Ghosh during the trial, highlighting his intellectual and spiritual contributions.
• Impact of the Case: The Alipore Bomb Case influenced the trajectory of the Indian freedom movement, inspiring many revolutionaries and leading to stricter British surveillance.
• Shift to Spirituality: After his acquittal, Aurobindo Ghosh moved away from revolutionary politics and focused on spiritual philosophy and integral yoga.

The correct answer is To reduce reliance on the grey market and eliminate volatility

In News

• Sebi is launching a regulated "when-listed" platform to allow investors to trade shares immediately after allotment, but before the official listing on stock exchanges.

Key Points

• Addressing Grey Market: The platform aims to eliminate the unregulated grey market, where speculative trading takes place between the allotment and listing phases.
• Current System: A three-day gap (T+1 to T+3) after IPO allotment often leads to grey market activity, where investors engage in unofficial trades.
• Grey Market Risks: It can lead to volatility and misled expectations due to speculative pricing and unpredictable outcomes based on listing day performance.
• Investor Benefits: The new platform ensures a transparent, secure trading environment, enhancing investor protection and stabilizing market sentiment.
• Industry Support: Experts agree that this initiative will reduce risks for retail investors and promote fair trading by legitimizing the process and curbing risky grey market transactions.

The correct answer is Malik Kafur.

Key Points

• Malik Kafur was a prominent military general and slave of Alauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi.
• In 1309, Malik Kafur led an expedition to the south of India, which included the invasion of the Kakatiya kingdom.
• The Kakatiya dynasty was ruled by Prataparudra II at that time.
• Malik Kafur's invasion was part of a larger campaign by Alauddin Khilji to expand his empire and secure tribute from southern kingdoms.
• The Kakatiya kingdom was known for its wealth and resources, making it a significant target for the Delhi Sultanate.
• Malik Kafur's successful campaign resulted in the submission of the Kakatiya ruler and the acquisition of substantial wealth, including precious stones and metals.

 Additional Information

• Ballala Deva
• Ballala Deva refers to the Hoysala rulers from the Deccan region, specifically in present-day Karnataka.
• He was not involved in the invasion of the Kakatiya kingdom in 1309.
• Vir Pandya
• Vir Pandya was a ruler of the Pandya dynasty in southern India.
• He had conflicts with the Delhi Sultanate but did not invade the Kakatiya kingdom in 1309.
• Sunder Pandya
• Sunder Pandya is another name for a ruler from the Pandya dynasty.
• There is no historical record of Sunder Pandya invading the Kakatiya kingdom in 1309.