Search Previous Year Questions

The correct answer is Halley's.

Key Points

• The comet that appears roughly every 76 years is Halley's Comet (1P/Halley), a famous short-period comet known for its regular, predictable visits to the inner solar system, last seen in 1986 and expected again in 2061.
• Periodicity: It orbits the Sun every 75 to 76 years.
• Discovery: Named after English astronomer Edmond Halley, who first predicted its return in 1705.
• Composition: A "dirty snowball" of ice, dust, and rock.
• History: Observed for millennia, with the first recorded sighting by Chinese astronomers in 240 BC.
• Next Appearance: After 1986, it's due back in 2061.

The logic followed is:

PARENT is written as BDFGJK

And,

CHILDREN is written as MOXQUFGJ

Similarly,

REPRINT is written as

Hence, the correct answer is "Option 2".

Given:

A can complete work in 12 days

A + B together can complete work in 8 days

Find days B alone can complete the work

Formula used:

Work = Rate × Time

Rate of B = (Rate of A + B) - Rate of A

Time = Total work / Rate

Calculations:

Let total work = LCM of 12 and 8 = 24 units

Rate of A = 24 / 12 = 2 units/day

Rate of A + B = 24 / 8 = 3 units/day

Rate of B = 3 - 2 = 1 unit/day

Time for B alone = 24 / 1 = 24 days

Answer: 24 days

The correct answer is Nitrogen.

Key Points

• Nitrogen constitutes approximately 78% of the Earth's atmosphere, making it the most abundant gas.
• It is a chemically inert gas under standard conditions and plays a crucial role in maintaining atmospheric stability.
• Nitrogen is essential for living organisms as it is a fundamental component of amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids like DNA and RNA.
• The nitrogen cycle ensures the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms (like nitrates and ammonia) for plants and animals.
• Despite its abundance, nitrogen cannot be directly used by most organisms and requires fixation by bacteria or industrial processes.

Additional Information

• Oxygen:
• Oxygen makes up about 21% of the Earth's atmosphere.
• It is essential for respiration in most living organisms and is a key component in combustion processes.
• Oxygen is also involved in the formation of the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from harmful UV radiation.
• Carbon Dioxide:
• Carbon dioxide constitutes only 0.04% of the Earth's atmosphere.
• It is a crucial greenhouse gas that helps regulate Earth's temperature and is vital for photosynthesis in plants.
• Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, have increased CO2 levels, contributing to climate change.
• Hydrogen:
• Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe but is present in trace amounts in the Earth's atmosphere (less than 0.01%).
• It is a highly flammable gas and a potential source of clean energy in the form of hydrogen fuel.
• Hydrogen forms water (H2O) when combined with oxygen and is a key component of many organic compounds.

The correct answer is Pattabhi Sitharamayya.

Key Points

• In 1939, Subhash Chandra Bose defeated Pattabhi Sitharamayya to be elected as the President of the Indian National Congress.
• Pattabhi Sitharamayya was the official candidate supported by Mahatma Gandhi and the Congress Working Committee.
• Subhash Chandra Bose’s victory highlighted the ideological divide within the Congress Party between the Gandhian faction and Bose’s supporters who sought more aggressive methods for achieving independence.
• After being elected, Bose faced opposition from the Gandhian faction and ultimately resigned in 1939, leading to the formation of the All India Forward Bloc.
• This election is considered a turning point in the history of the Indian National Congress as it revealed growing differences within the party regarding strategies for independence.

Additional Information

• Jawaharlal Nehru:
• Jawaharlal Nehru was a key leader in the Indian freedom struggle and the first Prime Minister of independent India.
• He played a significant role in shaping modern India through his vision of secularism, socialism, and industrialization.
• While Nehru was a prominent Congress leader, he did not contest the 1939 presidential election against Subhash Chandra Bose.
• V. B. Patel (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel):
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a senior Congress leader and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi.
• He is best known for his role in unifying India post-independence as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.
• Patel was not involved in the 1939 Congress presidential election.
• Maulana Abul Kalam Azad:
• Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was a prominent freedom fighter, scholar, and the first Education Minister of independent India.
• He was a staunch supporter of Hindu-Muslim unity and opposed the partition of India.
• Azad did not participate in the 1939 Congress presidential election, although he was a significant leader in the party.
• Main Theme: Subhash Chandra Bose’s Leadership:
• Subhash Chandra Bose was a charismatic leader and staunch nationalist who sought complete independence from British rule.
• His approach involved mobilizing mass support and forging alliances, including his leadership of the Indian National Army (INA).
• Bose’s election as Congress President in 1939 marked a temporary shift in leadership and ideology within the Congress Party.
• After resigning, Bose continued his struggle for independence through revolutionary methods, earning him the title “Netaji.”

The correct answer is Water.

Key Points

• Water exhibits a unique property called anomalous expansion, where it contracts on heating from 0ºC to 4ºC instead of expanding.
• At 4ºC, water reaches its maximum density (1 g/cm³), and any further heating beyond this point results in expansion.
• The contraction occurs due to the orientation of hydrogen bonds among water molecules, which rearrange themselves to occupy less volume as the temperature rises up to 4ºC.
• Water's anomalous expansion is critical for aquatic life, as it prevents water bodies from freezing entirely during winter, ensuring survival of organisms.
• This property is used in various scientific applications, including cryogenics and the study of thermal properties in natural systems.

Additional Information

• Mercury:
• Mercury is a dense, metallic liquid that expands uniformly when heated.
• It is commonly used in thermometers and barometers due to its predictable thermal expansion properties.
• Unlike water, mercury does not exhibit anomalous expansion and instead follows the typical behavior of liquids, expanding as temperature increases.
• Air:
• Air is a mixture of gases that expands when heated, following the principles of the Ideal Gas Law (PV=nRT).
• When air is heated, its molecules move faster, increasing the volume if the pressure is constant.
• Air does not exhibit anomalous expansion and behaves predictably under temperature changes.
• Copper:
• Copper is a metal that expands when heated due to the increase in kinetic energy of its atoms.
• It is widely used in applications like electrical wiring and thermal systems, where its thermal expansion is accounted for.
• Unlike water, copper does not contract when heated and follows the general behavior of solids, expanding as temperature increases.
• Key Concept:
• Water's anomalous expansion is an exception to the typical behavior of substances when heated and is a critical aspect of thermodynamics and environmental science.
• Other substances, like mercury, air, and copper, follow predictable thermal expansion patterns based on their molecular structures and physical properties.

The correct answer is Fossils.

Key Points

• Carbon-dating, also known as radiocarbon dating, is a scientific method used to determine the age of ancient organic materials by measuring the amount of radioactive isotope carbon-14 (C-14) present in them.
• This method is primarily used for dating fossils, archaeological artifacts, and remains of plants and animals that are up to 50,000 years old.
• Carbon-dating is effective because all living organisms absorb carbon, including the radioactive isotope C-14, during their lifetime. When the organism dies, C-14 starts decaying at a known rate (its half-life is approximately 5730 years).
• The ratio of C-14 to C-12 in a fossil provides an estimate of the time elapsed since the organism's death, making it a reliable tool for dating fossils.
• The method is widely used in archaeology, paleontology, and geology to study historical and prehistoric periods.

Additional Information

• Trees:
• Determining the age of trees is typically done using a method called dendrochronology, which involves counting the number of growth rings in a tree trunk cross-section.
• Each growth ring corresponds to one year of growth, allowing scientists to determine the exact age of the tree.
• However, carbon-dating can still be applied to ancient wooden artifacts, provided they contain organic material.
• Mountains:
• The age of mountains is determined using geological methods such as uranium-lead dating, potassium-argon dating, and other isotopic dating techniques applied to the rocks that form the mountain.
• Carbon-dating is not applicable here as rocks do not contain organic carbon necessary for radiocarbon analysis.
• Rocks:
• Rocks are dated using radiometric techniques such as uranium-lead dating, argon-argon dating, or rubidium-strontium dating, depending on the composition of the rock and its age.
• Since rocks are inorganic and lack carbon-14, carbon-dating cannot be used to determine their age.
• Main Theme: Carbon-dating is a specialized tool for dating materials that were once part of living organisms. It is not suitable for inorganic substances like rocks and mountains but is highly effective for fossils and other organic remains.

The correct answer is Param Vir Chakra.

Key Points

• The Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is India’s highest military decoration, awarded for the most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valor or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy.
• It was established on 26 January 1950, the same day India became a republic, and is awarded by the President of India.
• The decoration is made of bronze and has the national emblem of India embossed on the obverse side, surrounded by four replicas of Indra's Vajra (thunderbolt).
• To date, 21 awardees have received the Param Vir Chakra, with the majority of these being posthumous awards.
• The award is equivalent to the Medal of Honor in the United States or the Victoria Cross in the UK.

Additional Information

• Kirti Chakra
• The Kirti Chakra is the second-highest peacetime gallantry award in India.
• It is awarded for valor, courageous action, or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield.
• It ranks below the Ashoka Chakra and is equivalent to the Maha Vir Chakra (wartime award).
• The decoration is circular and made of silver, featuring the national emblem on the obverse side.
• Vir Chakra
• The Vir Chakra is the third-highest wartime gallantry award in India.
• It is awarded for acts of gallantry in the face of the enemy, whether on land, at sea, or in the air.
• It was established on 26 January 1950, and its decoration is made of standard silver with the national emblem embossed on the obverse.
• Param Vishisht Seva Medal
• The Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) is a peacetime award given for exceptional service to the nation.
• It is primarily awarded to officers in the armed forces in recognition of distinguished service of the most exceptional order.
• The medal is circular and made of gold gilt, with the emblem of India embossed on the obverse.
• Gallantry Awards in India
• India has a comprehensive system of gallantry awards, divided into wartime and peacetime categories.
• Wartime gallantry awards include the Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, and Vir Chakra.
• Peacetime gallantry awards include the Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra.
• These awards recognize extraordinary courage, selflessness, and devotion to duty by members of the armed forces, paramilitary forces, and civilians.

The correct answer is Palk Strait.

Key Points

• The Palk Strait is a narrow stretch of water that separates Tamil Nadu in India from the Mannar district in Sri Lanka.
• It is approximately 137 kilometers (85 miles) long and varies in width, ranging from 64 kilometers (40 miles) at its widest to 32 kilometers (20 miles) at its narrowest.
• The strait is named after Robert Palk, a governor of Madras during British rule.
• Rameswaram Island and the Mannar Island are situated along the Palk Strait, and the region also includes the geological formation known as Adam's Bridge or Rama's Bridge.
• This region is ecologically significant and is known for its rich marine biodiversity, including coral reefs, fish species, and mangroves.

Additional Information

• Malacca Strait:
• The Malacca Strait is a crucial maritime passage that connects the Indian Ocean with the Pacific Ocean through the South China Sea.
• It lies between the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
• It is one of the busiest shipping channels in the world and plays a vital role in global trade.
• This strait does not connect India and Sri Lanka geographically.
• Bass Strait:
• The Bass Strait is located between the Australian mainland and Tasmania.
• It is a shallow sea passage and is known for its unpredictable weather and strong currents.
• This strait is not relevant to the connection between India and Sri Lanka.
• Bering Strait:
• The Bering Strait lies between Russia's Chukchi Peninsula and Alaska's Seward Peninsula.
• It connects the Arctic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean via the Bering Sea.
• This strait is unrelated to the geographical context of India and Sri Lanka.
• Adam's Bridge (Rama's Bridge):
• Adam's Bridge, also known as Rama's Bridge, is a chain of limestone shoals located in the Palk Strait.
• Historical and mythological records suggest it was a land connection between India and Sri Lanka.
• It is believed to have been passable on foot until it was submerged due to natural geological processes.

The correct answer is Persian.

Key Points

• Persian was the official court language during the reign of Akbar, the Mughal emperor who ruled from 1556 to 1605.
• It became the administrative and cultural language of the Mughal Empire, and its use was further promoted during Akbar's rule.
• The Mughal courts adopted Persian for documentation, correspondence, and literary works, making it the language of governance and elite culture.
• Akbar employed prominent Persian scholars and poets such as Abul Fazl and Faizi, whose works were instrumental in developing Persian literature in India.
• Persian remained the official language of the Mughal court until the early 19^th century when it was replaced by English under British rule.

Additional Information

• Urdu:
• Urdu developed as a lingua franca in the Indian subcontinent by combining elements of Persian, Arabic, Turkish, and local Indian dialects.
• While it emerged during the Mughal era, it was not officially recognized as a court language during Akbar's reign.
• Urdu gained prominence later and became associated with cultural and literary developments in India, especially during the late Mughal period.
• Turki:
• Turki (or Chagatai Turkish) was the native language of Babur, Akbar's grandfather and the founder of the Mughal dynasty.
• Though Babur wrote his memoirs, the "Baburnama," in Turki, the language gradually lost its administrative significance under the Mughal Empire and was replaced by Persian.
• Arabic:
• Arabic was primarily used for religious purposes, especially in the Islamic world, as it is the language of the Quran.
• It was not used as an administrative or court language during Akbar’s reign but influenced Persian and other languages in terms of vocabulary and script.