Search Previous Year Questions

The correct answer is 15% of Lok Sabha.

Key Points

• The size of the Union Council of Ministers was formally limited by the 91^st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003. Before this amendment, there was no specific numerical limit on the number of ministers, which often led to the formation of large cabinets for political convenience.
• According to Article 75 (1A) of the Indian Constitution, the total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Union Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha (House of the People).
• This constitutional provision aims to ensure administrative efficiency, reduce the burden on the exchequer, and maintain the sanctity of the cabinet system by preventing jumbo ministries.
• Based on the current strength of the Lok Sabha, which is 543 elected members, the maximum permissible number of ministers at the central level is 81.

 Additional Information

• Provisions for State Governments:
• Similar to the Union level, Article 164 (1A) restricts the size of the Council of Ministers in a State. The number of ministers, including the Chief Minister, cannot exceed 15% of the total strength of the Legislative Assembly of that State.
• For smaller states, the law provides a minimum threshold where the number of ministers shall not be less than 12.
• Specific Exception for Delhi:
• Under the 69^th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1991, the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi follows a different rule. Article 239AA limits the number of ministers to 10% of the total membership of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, resulting in a maximum of 7 ministers.
• Categorization of Ministers:
• The Council of Ministers is a multi-tier body comprising Cabinet Ministers (who lead major ministries), Ministers of State (Independent Charge), Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers. The 15% limit applies to the sum of all these categories.

The correct answer is Dhol and manjira (small cymbals).

Key Points

• The Tippani dance, also known as Matla Dance, is a traditional folk dance from the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, specifically the coastal areas of Chorwad and Veraval.
• It is primarily performed by the women of the Koli and Bhil communities, who historically used this rhythmic activity to reduce the monotony of manual labor.
• The Dhol (a double-headed drum) and Manjira (small hand cymbals) are the vital musical instruments that provide the necessary rhythmic accompaniment for the performers to maintain a steady tempo.
• The dance utilizes a unique prop called a Tippani, which is a long wooden stick (approximately 175 cm) with a square wooden or iron block called a Garbo attached at the end.
• Dancers strike the Tippani poles against the floor in synchronization with the beats of the Dhol, creating a powerful percussive sound that mimics the process of leveling ground or beating limestone for construction.

 Additional Information

• Detailed Aspects of the Dance:
• Zanz: Large metallic cymbals are often used alongside the Manjira to add depth to the musical arrangement during high-energy segments.
• Chaniya Choli: The performers wear vibrant, traditional Gujarati folk costumes, often featuring intricate mirror work and embroidery typical of the Saurashtra region.
• Transition of Tempo: The performance usually begins with a slow beat and gradually accelerates into a fast-paced finale, showcasing the physical stamina of the dancers.
• Other Folk Dances of Gujarat:
• Garba: A globally recognized dance performed in a circle around a perforated clay lamp (Garba Deep), predominantly during the Navratri festival.
• Bhavai: A traditional folk theater form where performers balance multiple brass pitchers on their heads while dancing.
• Siddi Dhamal: A rhythmic dance performed by the Siddi community (of African descent) featuring the Dhamal drum and unique vocal patterns.

The correct answer is Samaveda.

Key Points

• The Samaveda is the second of the four Vedas and is known as the Veda of Melodies and Chants, serving as the foundational text for Indian Classical Music and dance.
• It contains a total of 1,875 verses, the majority of which are taken from the Rigveda, specifically from the 8^th and 9^th Mandalas, and rearranged for musical performance.
• The hymns of the Samaveda were traditionally chanted by the Udgatar priests during Soma sacrifices and other significant Vedic rituals.
• This Veda introduced the concept of the seven musical notes (Saptaswara), which are Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni, forming the core of the Gandharva Veda (the science of music).
• It is divided into two primary parts: the Archika (collection of hymns) and the Gana (songbooks that provide instructions on how the verses should be sung).

 Additional Information

• Rigveda:
• It is the oldest of the four Vedas, consisting of 1,028 hymns (Suktas) organized into 10 Mandalas.
• It focuses on prayers to nature deities such as Indra (God of Thunder), Agni (God of Fire), and Varuna (God of Water).
• Yajurveda:
• Known as the Veda of Rituals, it contains prose mantras and instructions for performing Yajnas (sacrificial ceremonies).
• It is categorized into two versions: the Shukla Yajurveda (White/Pure) and the Krishna Yajurveda (Black/Dark).
• Atharvaveda:
• This Veda deals with magical spells, charms, and incantations meant to ward off evil and cure diseases.
• It is a crucial source for ancient Indian medicine (Ayurveda) and describes the socio-cultural life of the later Vedic period.

The correct answer is It has less mass.

Key Points

• According to Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, the force of attraction between two bodies is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.
• The mass of the Moon is approximately 7.347 × 10²² kg, which is roughly 1.2% (or about 1/81) of Earth's mass (5.972 × 10²⁴ kg). Because gravity is a property of matter, the less matter (mass) an object has, the weaker its gravitational pull.
• The surface gravity of a celestial body is calculated using the formula $g = \frac{G \times M}{R^2}$. Although the Moon's radius (R) is smaller than Earth's, the significantly smaller mass (M) results in a lower value for g.
• The Moon's gravitational force is only about 1/6^th (approximately 1.62 m/s²) of the gravitational force found on Earth (9.8 m/s²). This means an object on the Moon weighs six times less than it does on Earth, even though its mass remains constant.

 Additional Information

• Factors Influencing Gravity
• Mass: This is the primary determinant of gravitational strength. Greater mass creates a deeper "well" in spacetime, exerting more force on surrounding objects.
• Distance/Radius: Gravity weakens as the distance from the center of mass increases. While the Moon is smaller in size, its low mass outweighs the effect of having a smaller radius.
• Rotation Speed: The rotational velocity of a planet or moon creates centrifugal force, which slightly counteracts gravity at the equator, but it does not change the actual gravitational force generated by mass.
• Sun's Influence: The distance from the Sun affects the orbital path of the Earth-Moon system but does not dictate the local gravity experienced on the surface of the Moon itself.

The correct answer is Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.

Key Points

• Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a renowned Indian-American author, poet, and the Betty and Gene McDavid Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Houston.
• The Palace of Illusions, published in 2008, is her award-winning novel that provides a first-person retelling of the Mahabharata from the perspective of Draupadi (Panchaali).
• The novel is significant for its feminist interpretation of the patriarchal epic, exploring Draupadi's childhood, her marriage to the five Pandavas, her complicated relationship with Karna, and her spiritual bond with Krishna.
• Through this work, the author reimagines the Kurukshetra War and the events leading up to it, focusing on the internal emotional world and agency of the female protagonist.
• Apart from this book, she is well-known for The Mistress of Spices, Before We Visit the Goddess, and The Forest of Enchantments (a retelling of the Ramayana from Sita's perspective).

 Additional Information

• Sudha Murthy:
• An Indian educator, author, and philanthropist who serves as the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation.
• Her popular literary works include Wise and Otherwise, Dollar Bahu, and The Serpent's Revenge.
• Devdutt Pattanaik:
• A prominent Indian mythologist and illustrator known for his books on Hindu mythology and their application in modern management.
• His notable works include Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata, Sita, and Mithya.
• Kavita Kane:
• A leading author in the genre of mythological fiction in India, famous for giving voice to overlooked female characters from epics.
• Her bibliography includes Karna's Wife: The Outcast's Queen, Sita's Sister, and Lanka's Princess.

The correct answer is Willingness to donate to charity or help others.

Key Points

• The World Happiness Index is an annual publication of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), which ranks countries based on subjective well-being.
• Generosity is identified as one of the six fundamental variables used to explain geographic variations in happiness, representing the altruistic nature of a population.
• This factor is specifically quantified by the national average of responses to the Gallup World Poll question: 'Have you donated money to a charity in the past month?'
• The indicator serves as a proxy for social capital and community trust, measuring how much individuals value the welfare of others within their society.
• Unlike economic metrics that track wealth accumulation, the generosity variable captures pro-social behavior, which is a critical driver of human connection and emotional satisfaction.

 Additional Information

• Core Indicators of the Happiness Index:
• GDP per Capita: A measure of a country's economic output per person, adjusted for Purchasing Power Parity (PPP).
• Social Support: Calculated by the presence of a support network or someone to rely on during difficult times.
• Healthy Life Expectancy: Based on World Health Organization (WHO) data regarding physical health and survival rates.
• Freedom to Make Life Choices: Evaluates the perceived sense of autonomy in personal and professional decisions.
• Perceptions of Corruption: Assesses the level of trust in government institutions and business environments.
• Distinction from Other Options:
• National Tax Rates: These represent mandatory government revenue collection rather than voluntary acts of charity.
• Foreign Aid: This refers to inter-governmental transfers of resources and does not reflect individual citizen generosity.
• Government Subsidies: These are fiscal interventions to support industries or low-income groups, distinct from the private donations measured by the index.

The correct answer is Increased auroras and radiation risk.

Key Points

• The Magnetosphere acts as Earths primary protective shield, generated by the geodynamo effect within the liquid outer core, which deflects the solar wind and galactic cosmic radiation away from the planet.
• During periods of temporary weakening, such as geomagnetic excursions or the early stages of a polar reversal, the magnetic field intensity can drop by up to 90%, significantly reducing its shielding capacity.
• A weakened field allows high-energy charged particles from the Sun to penetrate deeper into the ionosphere and thermosphere, leading to the appearance of auroras (Northern and Southern Lights) at much lower latitudes than usual.
• Increased solar particle flux elevates the radiation risk for high-altitude aviation, space missions, and can induce geomagnetic currents that threaten electrical power grids and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS).

 Additional Information

• Geomagnetic Reversals:
• These are long-term events where the magnetic North and South poles swap positions; the last major reversal was the Brunhes-Matuyama reversal roughly 780,000 years ago.
• Scientific data from the Laschamp event (approx. 41,000 years ago) suggests that even brief weakenings can impact ozone layer stability due to increased nitric oxide production.
• South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA):
• A current region where Earths magnetic field is significantly weaker than the global average, exposing satellites to higher levels of ionizing radiation and potential hardware malfunctions.
• Atmospheric vs. Gravitational Stability:
• A complete loss of atmosphere requires sustained stripping by solar wind over millions of years (similar to Mars), not a temporary magnetic dip.
• Gravity is a function of Earths mass and universal gravitational constant, making it entirely independent of electromagnetism.

The correct answer is 2021.

Key Points

• Kidambi Srikanth scripted history at the 2021 BWF World Championships held in Huelva, Spain, by becoming the first Indian male shuttler to reach the tournament final in the men's singles category.
• In a historic all-Indian semi-final, Srikanth defeated Lakshya Sen with a score of 17−21, 21−14, 21−17 to guarantee himself a place in the gold medal match.
• He ultimately clinched the Silver Medal after losing the final to Singapore's Loh Kean Yew (15−21, 20−22), marking the best-ever finish by an Indian male at the World Championships.
• Prior to this achievement, Indian male shuttlers had only managed to reach the semi-finals, securing bronze medals in 1983 and 2019.

 Additional Information

• Historical Context of Indian Badminton:
• Prakash Padukone was the first Indian to win a medal at the World Championships, securing a Bronze in 1983 in Copenhagen.
• B. Sai Praneeth ended a 36-year medal drought for Indian men's singles by winning Bronze in the 2019 World Championships.
• Kidambi Srikanth's Career Milestones:
• He achieved the World Number 1 ranking in the BWF rankings in April 2018.
• In 2017, he became the first Indian and only the fourth player in the world to win four Super Series titles in a single calendar year (Indonesia, Australia, Denmark, and France).
• He was honored with the Arjuna Award in 2015 and the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, in 2018.

The correct answer is Industrial Licensing Policy.

Key Points

• The Industrial Licensing Policy was a central feature of India's economic framework established under the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951, creating a system often referred to as the License Raj.
• Under this policy, private entrepreneurs were legally required to obtain a government license to start a new industrial undertaking, expand existing production capacity, or diversify into new product lines.
• The primary objective of this restrictive policy was to ensure that Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) dominated the commanding heights of the economy, effectively barring or limiting private participation in strategic sectors like heavy machinery and telecommunications.
• It served as a tool for the state to manage scarce resources, prevent the concentration of economic wealth, and promote regional development by incentivizing industries in backward areas.
• The New Economic Policy of 1991 dismantled this regime by abolishing licensing for the majority of industries, marking a shift toward Liberalization and increased private sector involvement.

 Additional Information

• Foreign Trade Policy:
• Before 1991, India followed an Inward-Oriented strategy characterized by Import Substitution and high import tariffs.
• It aimed to protect domestic Infant Industries from international competition through strict quantitative restrictions and quotas.
• Agricultural Subsidy Policy:
• This involves government financial aid provided to farmers for inputs such as fertilizers, electricity, and irrigation to ensure food security.
• It focuses on maintaining the Minimum Support Price (MSP) rather than regulating industrial entry.
• Public Distribution System (PDS):
• A food security system established by the Government of India to distribute essential commodities like wheat, rice, and kerosene to the poor at subsidized rates.
• It is managed jointly by the Central Government and State Governments through a network of Fair Price Shops.

The correct answer is Wheat.

Key Points

• In October 2017, India successfully shipped its first consignment of Wheat to Afghanistan via the Chabahar Port in Iran.
• The shipment was officially flagged off from the Kandla Port (now known as Deendayal Port) in Gujarat by the then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
• The consignment consisted of approximately 1.1 million tonnes of wheat, provided as grant assistance to the people of Afghanistan by the Government of India.
• This logistical milestone demonstrated the operational viability of the Chabahar route, which allows India to bypass Pakistan to reach landlocked Afghanistan.
• The cargo arrived at the Shahid Beheshti terminal in Chabahar and was then transported by trucks to Afghanistan through the Zaranj-Delaram highway.

 Additional Information

• Chabahar Port:
• Located in the Sistan-Baluchestan province on Iran’s southern coast, it is the country's only oceanic port.
• It is strategically positioned on the Gulf of Oman, providing access to the Indian Ocean.
• Development is managed by India Ports Global Limited (IPGL), specifically focusing on the Shahid Beheshti terminal.
• Trilateral Transit Agreement:
• Signed in May 2016 between India, Iran, and Afghanistan during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tehran.
• It established a Transport and Transit Corridor to facilitate trade between the three nations and Central Asian republics.
• Significance:
• The port is a key component of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
• It provides a reliable alternative to the Karachi Port, significantly reducing transit time and logistics costs for Central Asian trade.