General Awareness PYQs

The Correct Answer is Kerala.

Key Points

• Anna Chandy, the first Indian woman to serve as a judge at a high court, was appointed to the Kerala High Court.
• She served as a High Court judge from 9 February 1959 to 5 April 1967.
• Anna Chandy was also one of the first female judges in the Commonwealth countries.
• Her appointment to the Kerala High Court marked a significant milestone in the Indian judiciary and for women's representation in the legal profession.
• Anna Chandy passed away in the year 1996.

The correct answer is Ministry of Education.

Key Points

• The NIPUN Bharat Scheme was launched by the Ministry of Education in July 2021.
• NIPUN stands for National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy.
• The aim of the NIPUN Bharat Scheme is to ensure that every child in India attains foundational literacy and numeracy by the end of Grade 3, by 2026-27.
• The scheme is an essential part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 which focuses on early education and foundational learning.

Important Points 

• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
• The NEP 2020 is a comprehensive framework to guide the development of education in the country.It emphasizes universal access to education at all levels and aims to transform the education system by 2040.
• One of the key focuses of NEP 2020 is foundational literacy and numeracy.
• It also aims to promote multilingualism and the use of technology in education.
• Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN)
• FLN refers to the basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills that form the foundation of a child's education.
• The NIPUN Bharat scheme specifically targets the attainment of FLN by children at the primary level.
• FLN is crucial for the overall cognitive development of a child and impacts their ability to learn more complex subjects in higher grades.
• Implementation of NIPUN Bharat
• The scheme is implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education.
• It involves the training of teachers, the development of age-appropriate learning materials, and regular assessments to track progress.
• The initiative promotes a participatory approach involving parents, community members, and local bodies to ensure the effective implementation of the scheme.

The correct answer is Article 57.

Key Points

• Article 57 of the Constitution of India states that a person who holds, or who has held, office as President shall, subject to the other provisions of this Constitution, be eligible for re-election to that office.
• This article ensures that there is no restriction on the number of times a person can be re-elected as President of India.
• The President of India is elected by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of States.
• Article 57 is part of the chapter on the Executive, which is detailed in Part V of the Indian Constitution.

Additional Information

• Article 56
• Article 56 of the Constitution of India deals with the term of office of the President.
• According to this article, the President shall hold office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office.
• The President may resign from his office by writing under his hand addressed to the Vice-President of India.
• The President may, for violation of the Constitution, be removed from office by impeachment in the manner provided in Article 61.
• Article 58
• Article 58 lays down the qualifications for election as President of India.
• A person shall be eligible for election as President if he is a citizen of India, has completed the age of thirty-five years, and is qualified for election as a member of the House of the People.
• The person should not hold any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State or under any local or other authority subject to the control of any of the said Governments.
• Article 59
• Article 59 deals with the conditions of the President's office.
• The President shall not be a member of either House of Parliament or of a House of the Legislature of any State, and if a member of either House of Parliament or of a House of the Legislature of any State be elected President, he shall be deemed to have vacated his seat in that House on the date on which he enters upon his office as President.
• The President shall not hold any other office of profit.
• The President shall be entitled to such emoluments, allowances, and privileges as may be determined by Parliament by law and, until provision in that behalf is so made, such emoluments, allowances, and privileges as are specified in the Second Schedule.
• The emoluments and allowances of the President shall not be diminished during his term of office.

The correct answer is Champaran.

Key Points

• Champaran is famous for the Champaran Satyagraha of 1917 where Mahatma Gandhi led a movement against the British planters who forced local farmers to grow indigo under harsh conditions.
• This movement marked Gandhi's first active involvement in the Indian freedom struggle and was a significant milestone in India's path to independence.
• The success of the Champaran movement brought Gandhi to the forefront of the Indian independence movement.
• The indigo planters in Champaran were exploiting the farmers by forcing them to grow indigo on a portion of their land and sell it at fixed prices, which was economically detrimental to the farmers.

Additional Information

• Mahatma Gandhi
• Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was a prominent leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule.
• He is known for his philosophy of non-violence (Ahimsa) and civil disobedience, which he employed to lead India to independence.
• Gandhi's methods inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.
• He is often referred to as the "Father of the Nation" in India for his pivotal role in the country's struggle for independence.
• Indigo Cultivation
• Indigo was a valuable dye in the textile industry during the colonial period.
• British planters in India forced local farmers to grow indigo under the Tinkathia system, where farmers had to grow indigo on 3/20^th (or roughly 15%) of their land.
• This system was highly exploitative as the indigo crop depleted the soil, and the farmers received very low prices for their produce.
• The Champaran Satyagraha was a protest against this system and highlighted the plight of the farmers.
• Satyagraha
• Satyagraha is a form of nonviolent resistance or civil resistance.
• The term was coined and developed by Mahatma Gandhi during the Indian independence movement.
• Satyagraha is based on the principle of nonviolence and seeks to bring about social and political change through passive resistance and peaceful protests.
• It emphasizes the power of truth and the need to adhere to ethical principles in the face of injustice.

The correct answer is Vanaprastha.

Key Points

• Vanaprastha is the third stage in the Ashrama system of Vedic life, typically starting around the age of 50 when a person withdraws from worldly responsibilities.
• This stage is characterized by retirement from household duties and the beginning of a spiritual journey.
• Individuals in the Vanaprastha stage often spend their time in forests or secluded places for meditation and spiritual practices.
• The Vanaprastha stage serves as a transition from the Grihastha (householder) stage to Sanyasa (renunciation), emphasizing detachment from material possessions and societal roles.

Additional Information

• Brahmacharya

• This is the first stage of life in the Ashrama system, focusing on education and celibacy.

• It typically lasts until the age of 25, during which an individual is expected to live a disciplined life of study and self-control.

• Grihastha

• The second stage of life, starting around the age of 25 and lasting until about 50.

• It involves marriage, family responsibilities, and contributing to society through work and raising children.

• Sanyasa

• The fourth and final stage of life, marked by renunciation of worldly possessions and responsibilities.

• Individuals in this

• • Individuals in this stage dedicate their lives to spiritual pursuits and often become wandering ascetics.

• dedicate their lives to spiritual pursuits and often become wandering ascetics.

• Ashrama System

• The Ashrama system is a framework for the stages of life in Hindu philosophy, guiding an individual's journey from birth to death.

• The four stages are Brahmacharya (student life), Grihastha (householder life), Vanaprastha (hermit or forest-dweller life), and Sanyasa (renounced life).

• This system aims to provide a balanced and meaningful life by addressing different phases and responsibilities.

The correct answer is Antoine Lavoisier.

Key Points

• Antoine Lavoisier
• The theory of combustion as a chemical reaction with oxygen in the 18^th century, which excluded the phlogiston theory, was developed by Antoine Lavoisier
• The 18^th-century chemical revolution was led by Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier, a French nobleman, and chemist who is also known by the name Antoine Lavoisier following the French Revolution.
• He had a significant impact on both the history of chemistry and the history of biology.
• It is widely acknowledged that Lavoisier's major contributions to chemistry were greatly influenced by his shift from a qualitative to a quantitative approach towards the field.
• He is well-known for his discovery of the elements carbon (1789), hydrogen (1783), and oxygen (1778) and he opposed the phlogiston theory by discovering the role of oxygen in combustion and respiration.
• Lavoisier created the first comprehensive list of elements, contributed to the development of the metric system, and reformed chemical nomenclature.
• He is known as the "father of modern chemistry,"

Additional Information

• Robert Boyle (1627–1691):
• Boyle is famous for Boyle's law, which describes the relationship between the pressure and volume of a gas.
• He played a key role in the development of the scientific method and experimental approach to chemistry.
• Boyle's work in The Sceptical Chymist (1661) challenged the traditional theory of alchemy and laid the foundation for modern chemical science by advocating for a more systematic, empirical approach to chemistry.
• Friedrich Wöhler (1800–1882):
• Wöhler is known for synthesizing urea (1828) from ammonium cyanate, a breakthrough that demonstrated that organic compounds could be synthesized from inorganic substances.
• Johann Becher (1635–1682):
• Becher was a German chemist who is often associated with early theories of combustion. He proposed the idea of "terra pinguis," a substance that he believed was responsible for combustion and flammability.

The correct answer is option 1

Key Points

• Allen's Rule is a principle in biology which suggests that animals living in colder regions tend to have shorter appendages (such as ears, tails, and limbs) to conserve body heat, while animals in warmer climates tend to have longer appendages to dissipate excess heat.
• This adaptation helps maintain thermal balance by reducing the surface area through which heat can be lost in colder environments and increasing it in hotter environments to release heat.

Additional Information

• Statement 2 
• Describes adaptations to high temperatures, but it is not Allen's Rule.
• Statement 3 
• Refers to adaptations in desert plants, such as succulents, not Allen's Rule.
• Statement 4 
• Describes physiological responses to high-altitude environments, such as increased red blood cell production, but again, this is unrelated to Allen's Rule.

The correct answer is Academic Bank of Credits

Key Points

• The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) scheme allows students to move between higher education institutions by enabling the accumulation, recognition, transfer, and redemption of credits:
• A digital platform that stores a student's credits earned throughout their learning journey
• Students can open accounts and use the ABC to enter and leave colleges or universities
• Students can seamlessly integrate their skills and experiences into a credit-based system

Additional Information

• National Educational Technology Forum (NETF):
• The National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) is an initiative aimed at promoting the use of technology in education.
• It is expected to provide a platform for discussions, advice, and recommendations regarding educational technology policies and innovations.
• NETF aims to foster the integration of technology in teaching and learning to improve education quality in India.
• PM Umeed Scheme:
• The PM Umeed Scheme is a government initiative aimed at empowering rural women, particularly in the areas of self-help groups (SHGs).
• Under this scheme, women are provided financial support, training, and access to resources to start small businesses and improve their economic conditions.
• It focuses on encouraging entrepreneurship and providing socio-economic benefits to women in rural areas.
• Structured Assessment for Analysing Learning Levels (SAFAL):
• SAFAL is a national-level initiative launched by the government to assess the learning outcomes of students in schools.
• The program aims to provide a structured assessment to analyze and understand the learning levels of students, identify areas for improvement, and help enhance the overall quality of education.
• The SAFAL initiative is designed to help teachers and education policymakers by providing actionable data on student learning progress.

The correct answer is British Constitution

Key Points

• The British Constitution inspired the law-making process in India. The Indian Constitution borrowed many features from the British Constitution, including:
• Parliamentary system
• The concept of a sovereign Parliament, with a division into two houses, the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) and the Lok Sabha (Lower House)
• Rule of law
• The principle of equality before the law and protection of individual rights
• Legislative procedures
• The procedures for passing bills and conducting debates in the Indian Parliament
• Single citizenship
• The concept that individuals hold citizenship of the country as a whole, not specific states or regions
• Cabinet system
• The idea of a Council of Ministers led by the Prime Minister exercising executive powers

Additional Information

• Other constitutions that inspired the Indian Constitution include:
• The Government of India Act of 1935: Inspired the federal scheme, office of the governor, judiciary, public service commissions, emergency provisions, and administrative details
• The French Constitution: The preamble of the Indian Constitution shares similarities with the motto of the French Republic, "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" (liberty, equality, fraternity)
• The Canadian Constitution was a major influence on the Indian Constitution, inspiring many of its principles, including the federal system of government and the protection of human rights: 
• Federal structure
• The Indian Constitution's federal structure, where powers are divided between the central government and the states, was inspired by the Canadian Constitution.
• Division of powers
• The Canadian Constitution influenced the distribution of powers between the center and the states, and the subjects each level of government can legislate on.
• Appointment of governors
• The Canadian Constitution inspired the provision for the President to appoint governors, who represent the central government in the states.
• Idea of residuary powers
• The idea of residuary powers was taken from the Canadian Constitution.
• Irish Constitution
• The Directive Principles of State Policy and the method of election of the President were inspired by the Irish Constitution.
• Australian Constitution
• The freedom of trade and commerce within the country and between the states, and the power of the national legislature to make laws for implementing treaties were inspired by the Australian Constitution.
• United States Constitution
• The Charter of Fundamental Rights, known as the Magna Carta of India Constitution, was inspired by the United States Constitution.
• German Constitution
• The emergency powers vested with the President of India were inspired by the Weimer Constitution of Germany.
• South African Constitution
• The legislative procedure involved in passing constitutional amendments and electing members to the upper house based on proportional representation were inspired by the South African Constitution.
• Japanese Constitution
• The procedure of making laws was inspired by the Japanese Constitution

The correct answer is option 2

Key Points

• Microfinance involves providing financial services like small loans, savings accounts, and insurance to people who do not have access to traditional banking services, particularly those in impoverished or rural areas.
• The goal is to empower these individuals or groups by offering them the opportunity to start or expand small businesses,
• It improve their quality of life, and reduce poverty.

Additional Information

• The other options are incorrect or incomplete descriptions of microfinance:
• Option 1 describes the business structure of a microfinance institution but does not fully capture the core concept of microfinance itself.
• Option 3 describes a digital-only bank but doesn't specifically relate to microfinance.
• Option 4 is somewhat related but does not fully explain the concept of microfinance, as it also applies to low-income or unemployed individuals, not just those in rural areas.

The correct answer is 1000 atoms

Key Points

• Ernest Rutherford used a gold foil that was about 1,000 atoms thick for his alpha scattering experiment.
• Rutherford chose gold because it is malleable, which allowed him to make a very thin sheet of the metal.
• He wanted to use the thinnest layer of metal possible so that he could get clear observations.
• Using a different metal would not have produced accurate results.
• In the experiment, Rutherford shot high-energy alpha particles at the gold foil and observed how the particles deflected.
• He placed a fluorescent zinc sulfide screen around the foil to study the deflection.
• The experiment led to the discovery of the nucleus and contradicted Thomson's atomic model.

The correct answer is Vinai Kumar Saxena 

Key Points

• Vinai Kumar Saxena was appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi in May 2022 by President Ram Nath Kovind.
• Vinai Kumar Saxena is a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1983 batch from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre.
• He has served as the Chairman of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) in the past.

Additional Information

• Kiran Bedi:
• Kiran Bedi is a retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, social activist, and politician.
• She is known for being the first woman officer in the IPS.
• She served in various high-profile positions in the police force and is recognized for her reforms in the prison system.
• Kiran Bedi has also been involved in several social causes and was the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry from 2016 to 2021.
• Anil Baijal:
• Anil Baijal is a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and the current Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.
• He took office in 2016, succeeding Najeeb Jung.
• Before becoming the Lieutenant Governor, he held various important administrative positions, including Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Urban Development.
• Vijai Kapoor:
• Vijai Kapoor is a former Lieutenant Governor of Delhi who served from 1997 to 2002.
• He is an IAS officer by training and has held several key positions in the government of India.
• During his tenure, he played a significant role in the administration and governance of Delhi.

The correct answer is 7

Key Points

• There are seven players on each side of a Kabaddi team on the field at the start of the game:
• Number of players per team
• 7 players per side
• Total number of players per team
• 12 players per team
• Other players
• 5 reserved players who come in when active players are out
• Kabaddi is a contact sport that originated in Ancient India.
• It's played across India and is the official game in the states of Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Telangana, and Maharashtra.
• In a Kabaddi game, players take turns chasing and trying to touch members of the opposing team without being captured.
• The team that outs all the players on the opponent's side scores four extra points.

The correct answer is Chauri Chaura

Key Points

• The Chauri Chaura incident took place in the United Provinces in February 1922:
• Chauri Chaura, a small town in the Gorakhpur district of the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh)
• A violent clash between Indian protesters and British police during the Non-cooperation movement
• The police station was set on fire, killing many police officials, and hundreds of people were arrested.
• Gandhiji called off the Non-Cooperation Movement on February 12, 1922.

Additional Information

• Khilafat Movement
• This movement took place from 1919 to 1924.
• It was the first time a large number of Sindhi pirs came together to oppose British policy.
• Kakori Incident
• On August 9, a group of revolutionaries led by Ram Prasad Bismil robbed the Kakori Express, a train carrying government funds.
• The revolutionaries' goal was to obtain funds for their revolutionary activities against British rule
• Quit India Movement
• It was a nonviolent protest movement that took place in India from 1942–1943 to demand an end to British rule:
• The movement was planned by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress (Congress Party).
• It was a response to the British colonial rule that had been in place since the East India Company's territories were transferred to the Crown in 1858.

The correct answer is the Second Five-yea Plan

Key Points

• The Mahalanobis model was the basis for the Second Five-Year Plan of India, which took place from 1956–1961:
• The Mahalanobis model was an economic development model created by Indian statistician Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in 1953.
• The model was based on an input-output model and was used to establish the plan's goals and priorities.
• The plan's goals included: Rapid industrialization, Development of the public sector, Balanced allocation of investment between productive sectors, and A 25% increase in national income.

Additional Information

• Second Five-Year Plan
• The Second Five-Year Plan in India was from 1956 to 1961.
• The plan's main objectives were to develop heavy industries and construct railway lines in the northeast.
• Sixth Five-Year Plan
• The Sixth Five-Year Plan in India was from 1980 to 1985.
• The plan's objectives were to increase national income, modernize technology, and reduce poverty and unemployment.
• First Five-Year Plan
• The First Five-Year Plan in India was from 1951 to 1956.
• The plan was based on the Harrod-Domar Model and focused on agriculture.

The correct answer is Andhra Pradesh.

Key Points

• The Neeru-Meeru (Water and You) program was launched by the Water Conservation Mission(WCM), on May 1, 2000.
• It is a Water conservation and poverty alleviation initiative undertaken by the government of Andhra Pradesh.
• The initiative focuses on overcoming man made-drought and water shortage in the state through the convergence of efforts of various departments at the state, district, and sub-district levels for water conservation.

Additional Information

• Features of Neeru-Meeru are:
• Rainwater harvesting works
• Mobilization of financial resources
• Prioritization of areas
• Quality improvement
• Water audit
• Despite a 7% deficit in rainfall, the groundwater levels registered a rise of 0.19 to 6.34 meters in groundwater levels.
• The process of implementing land-use practices and water management practices to protect and improve the quality of the water is called watershed management.
• It also helps in improving natural resources within a watershed by managing the use of those land and water resources in a comprehensive manner.

The correct answer is 2001

Key Points

• Lata Mangeshkar was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2001.
• The Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian honour.
• Lata Mangeshkar was an Indian playback singer and songwriter who recorded songs in over 36 Indian languages and a few foreign languages.
• She was known as the "Queen of Melody," "Nightingale of India," and "Voice of the Millennium".
• She received many other awards and honours, including: 
• Padma Bhushan: 1969
• Dadasaheb Phalke Award: 1989
• Padma Vibhushan: 1999
• One Time Award for Lifetime Achievement: 2008
• Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour: 2007
• Lata Mangeshkar was born on September 28, 1929 in Indore, India and died on February 6, 2022.
• She was the second female singer to receive the Bharat Ratna, after M. S. Subbulakshmi.

The correct answer is Jaisalmer

Key Points

• Barchans, or crescent-shaped sand dunes, can be found in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan:
• Barchans are concentric in shape, with convex sides that face the prevailing winds.
• They can shift when faced with strong winds from a particular direction.
• Jaisalmer is the largest district in Rajasthan, and the third largest in India.
• It is located in the Thar Desert, which straddles the border of India and Pakistan.

The correct answer is Seasonal unemployment

Key Points

• Seasonal unemployment is the type of unemployment that occurs when people are employed for a certain period of the year but are unemployed during other times.
• This is the type of unemployment that occurs in India when people are employed in the tourism sector but are unemployed during the off-season.
• Seasonal unemployment is common in industries and occupations that are subject to seasonal demand or weather, such as tourism, farming, and construction.
• In the tourism sector, some months of the year have more tourists than others, which can lead to seasonal unemployment.

Additional Information

• Other types of unemployment include:
• Frictional unemployment: Occurs when someone is unemployed by choice while looking for a better job opportunity.
• Underemployment
• When people are employed but want or are available to work more hours.
• This can include part-time workers who want to work full-time or people who usually work full-time but are currently working part-time.
• Disguised unemployment
• When people are employed but not to their full potential due to a lack of opportunities.
• This can include people who are working below their skill set, or people who are doing part-time work but want to work full-time.
• Disguised unemployment is also known as underemployment
• Cyclical unemployment is a type of unemployment that occurs when the economy changes, such as during a recession or period of economic growth.
• It's characterized by a short-term increase in unemployment, usually lasting from one month to 1.5 years.

The correct answer is 1954

Key Points

• Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy:
• It is a constituent unit of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi.
• The institute is a premier institution for teaching Manipuri Dance and Music and allied subjects like Thang-Ta.
• It was established in 1954.​

Additional Information​​

• Sangeet Natak Akademi:
• ​The Sangeet Natak Akademi was founded on 31 May 1952.
• It is also known as the National Academy for Music, Dance, and Drama.
• In India, it functions as the headquarters of performing arts.
• It presents the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards which is the highest Indian recognition given to performing/practising artists.