SSC Steno 2020 Official Paper (Held on: 24 Dec 2020 Shift 2) (Previous Year Paper)

The pattern follows here is:

The differences are in the increasing order of consecutive prime numbers.

Hence, the correct answer is "99".

The pattern follows here is:

Hence, the correct answer is "DQJ".

Arranging the given words as per they appear in the English dictionary :

2. Distance 3. Distilled 5. Distort 4. Distribution 1. Disturb

The last word in this order is Disturb.

Hence, the correct answer is "Disturb".

The logic follows here is :

(Sum of place values of the alphabets of the given word) × (Number of alphabets) = Given code

FRISK

Number of alphabets = 5

(F + R + I + S + K ) × 5 = (6 + 18 + 9 + 19 + 11) × 5 = 63 × 5 = 315.

DOUBLE

Number of alphabets = 6

(D + O + U + B + L + E) × 6 = (4 + 15 + 21 + 2 + 12 + 5) × 6 = 59 × 6 = 354.

Similarly,

TENT

Number of alphabets = 4

(T + E + N + T) × 4 = (20 + 5 + 14 + 20) × 4 = 59 × 4 = 236.

Hence, the correct answer is "236".

The logic follows here is :

Similarly,

Hence, the correct answer is "VVVNL".

Given equation

18 × 12 - 51 ÷ 34 + 17 = 185

BODMAS rule:-

1) 17 and 51, × and -

18 × 12 - 51 ÷ 34 + 17 = 185

Interchanging the signs and numbers and using BODMAS rule:-

18 - 12 × 17 ÷ 34 + 51 

= 18 - 12 × 0.5 + 51

= 18 - 6 + 51

= 69 - 6

= 63 ≠ 185

2) 51 and 17, × and ÷ 

18 × 12 - 51 ÷ 34 + 17 = 185

Interchanging the signs and numbers and using BODMAS rule:-

18 ÷ 12 - 17 × 34 + 51

= 1.5 - 17 × 34 + 51

= 1.5 - 578 + 51

= 52.5 - 578

= - 525.5 ≠ 185

3) 34 and 51, × and + 

18 × 12 - 51 ÷ 34 + 17 = 185

Interchanging the signs and numbers and using BODMAS rule:-

18 + 12 - 34 ÷ 51 × 17

= 18 + 12 - 0.67 × 17

= 18 + 12 - 11.33

= 30 - 11.33

= 18.67 ≠ 185

4) 34 and 51, + and ÷ 

18 × 12 - 51 ÷ 34 + 17 = 185

Interchanging the signs and numbers and using BODMAS rule:-

18 × 12 - 34 + 51 ÷ 17 

= 18 × 12 - 34 + 3

= 216 - 34 + 3

= 219 - 34

= 185 = 185

Hence, the correct answer is **"**34 and 51, + and ÷".

The logic followed for TURNIP is

Similarly, for RADISH,

So, TURNIP : QTSQJO :: RADISH : CZQITJ.

Hence, the correct answer is "CZQITJ".

The folded paper when unfolded:

Hence, the correct answer is Option 4.

The logic followed is:

In a row,

(First number)² + Second number = Third number

In row 1,

8² + 9 = 64 + 9 = 73

In row 3,

7² + 14 = 49 + 14 = 63

Similarly,

In row 2,

11² + 25 = 121 + 25 = 146

Hence, the correct answer is "146".

From the given information:

1) Five friends Roma, Ketaki, Devi, Shanaya and Urmi are sitting in a line facing north.

2) Ketaki is sitting to the immediate left of Shanaya. 

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3) Devi is sitting between Roma and Ketaki. 

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4) Roma is sitting to the immediate right of Urmi.

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So, from the final arrangement, Urmi and Shanaya are at the corners.

Hence, the correct answer is "Urmi and Shanaya".

The least possible Venn diagram for the given statements:

Conclusions:

1. Some inkpots are candies. → False (Since there is no relation between inkpots and candies, it is possible but not definite. Hence, false.)
2. Some kettles are inkpots. → True (As some inkpots are kettles, some kettles will definitely be inkpots.)
3. Some candies are inkpots. → False (Since there is no relation between candies and inkpots, it is possible but not definite. Hence, false.)

Hence, the correct answer is "Only conclusion 2 follows".

The pattern followed is:

1. The triangle is rotated 90^o clockwise and moved from one corner to another corner in a clockwise direction.
2. The square and circle inside the oval are alternate. i.e,

(i) The pattern in the first image is repeated in the third image 

(ii) The pattern in the second image will be repeated in the fourth image.

So, the series will be:

Hence, the correct answer is Option 2.

Given 

U = M > J = R → U = M > R = J

J = S < T

Combining the two,

U = M > R = J = S < T

Checking the options:

1. M > T → False (M > R = J = S < T ⇒ The relation between M and T cannot be established)

2. J < U → True (U = M > J ⇒ U > J or J < U)

3. J < T → True ( J = S < T ⇒ J < T)

4. R = S → True (R = J = S ⇒ R = S)

So, only option 1 is not correct.

Hence, the correct answer is "M > T".

The pattern followed is:

1. The squares are increased by 2 and decreased by 1, alternatively.

2. The circles are decreased by 2 and increased by 1, alternatively.

So, in the last image, the squares are increased by 2 and circles are decreased by 2.

The series becomes:

Hence, the correct answer is Option 3.

The pattern here follows is:

Hence, the correct answer is "EOS".

The logic follows here is:

In column-wise operation,

The sum of square root of first number + cube-root of second number = third number

In column 1:

√ 121 + ∛ 27 = 14

11 + 3 = 14

14 = 14

In column 2:

√ 64 + ∛ ? = 12

8 + ∛ ? = 12

∛ ? = 12 - 8

∛ ? = 4

? = 4³

? = 64

In column 3:

√ 144 + ∛ 8 = 14

12 + 2 = 14

14 = 14 

Hence, the correct answer is "64".

The pattern follows here is:

Hence, the correct answer is "165".

The logic follows here is:

The sum of multiplication of first and second number = (third number)³

In Row 1:

25 × 40 = 10³

1000 = 10³

1000 = 1000

In Row 2:

81 × 9 = 9³

729 = 9³

729 = 729

Similarly, 

In Row 3:

? × 16 = 8³

? × 16 = 512

? = 512 / 16

? = 32

Hence, the correct answer is "32".

The pattern follows here is:

Hence, the correct answer is "107".

The logic follows here is:

In Row 1:

(First number)⁴ = second number + third number

(3)⁴ = 45 + 36

81 = 81

In Row 2:

(4)⁴ = ? + 166

256 = ? + 166

? = 256 - 166

? = 90

In Row 3:

(2)⁴ = 3 + 13

16 = 16 

Hence, the correct answer is "90".

Given equation is → 65 * 5 * 17 * 24 * 21 * 224

After replacing the signs from left to right and using the BODMAS rule,

Option 1 → ÷, ×, +, -, =

65 ÷ 5 × 17 + 24 - 21 = 224

13 × 17 + 24 - 21 = 224

221 + 24 - 21 = 224

221 + 3 = 224

224 = 224

Option 2 → +, ×, -, ÷, =

65 + 5 × 17 - 24 ÷ 21 = 224

65 + 5 × 17 - 1.14 = 224

65 + 85 - 1.14 = 224

150 - 1.14 = 224

148.86 ≠ 224

Option 3 → ÷, ×, -, +, =

65 ÷ 5 × 17 - 24 + 21 = 224

13 × 17 - 24 + 21 = 224

221 - 24 + 21 = 224

242 - 24 = 224

218 ≠ 224

Option 4 → ×, +, -, ÷, =

65 × 5 + 17 - 24 ÷ 21 = 224

65 × 5 + 17 - 1.14 = 224

325 + 17 - 1.14 = 224

342 - 1.14 = 224

340.86 ≠ 224 

Hence, the correct answer is "Option 1".

The logic follows here is:

Venn diagram according to the given information is:

Sisters, Mothers, and Females.

From the Venn diagram,

Some sisters may be mothers and vice-versa.

Similarly,

Some mothers may be sisters and vice-versa.

But all the sisters and all the mothers belong to females group, so they both will come inside the females circle.

Hence, the correct answer is "Option 1".

According to the sequence in the dictionary: 

The correct order of the given words is:

4. Pedaling

1. Pendant
2. Pendency 2. Pending
3. Pentagon

Hence, the correct answer is "4, 1, 3, 2, 5".

Additional Information

1. First of all, check the common letter in all.
2. Arrange them according to the alphabet they come first.
3. When common letters are arranged, then go for the rest and that will come last.

The logic follows here is:

According to the given information,

Code for "Is" is 6.

Code for "my" is 5.

Code for "ill" is 7.

Now, we left with only "aunt" and it's code is "3".

Hence, the correct answer is "3".

Below diagram shows the distance between the Prakash's house and Daksh's house:

Now, Triangle "PRQ" is a right-angled triangle, so using Pythagoras Theorem:

RP² + PQ² = RQ²

y² + (40)² = (50)²

y² = 2500 - 1600

y² = 900

y = √ 900

y = 30 m

Now, Triangle "PQS" is a right-angled triangle, so using Pythagoras Theorem:

SP2 + PQ2 = SQ2

x² + (40)2 = (50)2

x² = 2500 - 1600

x² = 900

x = √ 900

x = 30 m

The distance between the Prakash's house and Daksh's house = x + y,

= 30 m + 30 m

= 60 m

Hence, the correct answer is "60 m".

The pattern follows here is:

There is a difference of +6 between the first and second letters and the second and third letters are opposite pairs.

CHR is the odd in these because it has the difference of +5 and last two letters are not opposite pairs.

Hence, the correct answer is "CHR".

 

 

Note: Multiple of 400 years i.e. 800, 1200, 1600, 2000 have 0 odd days.

Calculating leap year: For Finding number of leap year (1 - 99) years, divide the number of years by 4 and the quotient will be the number of leap years.

Code for weekdays:

 

Total odd days = 0 + 4 + 6 + 5 = 15 days = 2 week + 1 odd day

1 is the code for Monday.

Hence, the correct answer is "Monday".

The logic follows here is:

Alphabets of the word are rearranged in alphabetical / dictionary order.

'TACKLE' is rearranged as 'ACEKLT'.

Similarly,

DETOXING is rearranged as DEGINOTX. 

'DEGINOTX' is related to the third term in the same way as the second term is related to the first term.

Hence, the correct answer is "DEGINOTX".

Arranging the given information:

Six houses P, Q, R, S, T and U are located in two rows with three houses in each row. The houses in both the rows face each other.

1) S is between P and U.

Case 1:

Case 2:

2)  P is facing T.

3) Q is not facing U.

Case 1:

Case 2:

 

So, three houses Q, R, T are in the same row.

Hence, the correct answer is "Q, R, T".

The logic follows here is:

Hence, the correct answer is "42".

The least possible Venn diagram as per the given statement:

Conclusions:

I. All bottles are jugs → True (As all bottles are glasses and all glasses are jugs so all bottles are jugs. It is definitely true as shown in the Venn diagram) 

II. All jugs are bottles → False (As all bottles are glasses and all glasses are jugs given so all jugs can be bottles but not definite, hence, false)

III. Some glasses are bottles → True (As all bottles are glasses given so some glasses are bottle. It is definitely true as shown in the Venn diagram)

Hence, the correct answer is "Only conclusion I and III follow".

Additional Information

According to the given information:

Among sevens friends A, B, C, D, E, F and G.

1) G is elder than A and C.

G > A  ----- (i)

G > C ----- (ii)

2) C is elder than D.

C > D

3) A is the third eldest.

4) E is the youngest.

5) F is elder than one friend only.

— > — > A > — > — > F > E

6) G is younger than B.

B > G

The final arrangement will be,

B > G > A > C > D > F > E

So, B is the eldest in all.

Hence, the correct answer is "B".

Members: Komal, Daman, Radhika, Sayantani, Malaya, Kartik, Arpan.

The family chart is as follows:

Drawing the family tree as per the given information:

As Komal is the mother of Kartik.

We do not know the gender of Kartik and Arpan.

Hence, the correct answer is "Mother".

The logic follows here is:

Lion, Elephant, Animal

Lion and Elephant both are different animals but both come under in the Animals. 

The least possible Venn diagram for the given set of words is:

Hence, the correct answer is "Option (2)".

Given series is:

27 B 3 C (11 A 3) A 14 B (100 D 10)

Decoding the given information,

 

Substituting the letters with the operations:

27 × 3 - (11 + 3) + 14 × (100 ÷ 10)

BODMAS Rule:

Using BODMAS rule,

27 × 3 - 14 + 14 × 10

81 - 14 + 140

221 - 14

207

Hence, the correct answer is "207".

According to the given information:

Given

Total students in a class = 120

Students participate in either Golf or Skating or both = 100

Total students participate in Golf = 60

Total students participate in Skating = 56

Concept used:

Used of Venn diagram.

From diagram,

Students who both play = 56 + 60 - 100 = 116 - 100 = 16

Now students who only Skating = 56 - 16 = 40

Hence, the correct answer is "40".

The family chart is as follows:

As Gopesh daughter's father's mother's only daughter's husband's father's only son is the husband of my husband's sister.

Drawing the family tree as per the given information:

So, a lady is the wife of Gopesh.

Hence the correct answer is "Wife".

The pattern followed here is:-

According to the given information:

First of all, write or create a story above something.

Then it is shooting on the basis of that story.

After that it is telecast.

Then Viewers see it.

And in the last viewers give their feedback.

So, the meaning sequence will be Story - Shooting - Telecast - Viewers - Feedback.

But according to the answer, it has been arranged in descending order.

Thus, the correct logical and meaningful sequence is Feedback - Viewers - Telecast - Shooting - Story.

Hence, the correct answer is "1, 5, 2, 3, 4"

Given,

The ratio of the money distributed among Darshana, Swati and Nivriti is 5 : 6 : 7

Darshna : Swati : Nivriti → 5 : 6 : 7

But Nivriti has Rs. 539 with her.

Then,

7 → 539 

1 → 77

The total sum of money = 5 + 6 + 7 = 18

The total sum of money was distributed = 18 x 77 = 1386

Hence, the correct answer is "1386".

Members: M, R, Q, F, S, D, U

Let us first decode the symbols and then draw a family tree.

 

Given equation → M × R × Q + F + S - D ÷ U

Family chart,

Family tree according to the given information,

From the family tree,

F is the father-in-law of D, M is the paternal uncle of F and S is the daughter-in-law of U.

Q is the paternal grandfather of S, not a maternal grandfather.

So, Q is the maternal grandfather of S is NOT correct.

Hence, the correct answer is "Option (1)".

The logic follows here is:

Hence, the correct answer is "SMUTRNAT".

The least possible Venn diagram as per the given statement is as follow:

Conclusions:

I. Some Helmets are Prizes → False (There is no direct relation given between prizes and helmets so it can be possible but not definite, hence, false)

II. Some erasers are pictures → False (There is no direct relation given between erasers and pictures so it can be possible but not definite, hence, false)

III. No helmet is a Prize → False (There is no direct relation given between prizes and helmets so it can be possible but not definite, hence, false)

Thus, Conclusion 1 and 3 will form the complementary pairs for the either-or case.

Hence, the correct answer is "Either conclusion I or III follows".

Additional Information

In this section two of the given conclusion forms a complementary pair for the either-or case.

Complementary pairs for Either or case are:

1) Some + No

2) All + Some not

Rules for Either or Case:-

Rule:

1. Subject and Predicate of the element should be the same.
2. Two of the conclusions should be can't be determined.
3. Both should form a complementary pair.

The correct mirror image of the given figure when the mirror is held at the right side is :

Hence, the correct answer is "Option (3)".

The logic follows here is:

28 : 98 

Similarly,

36 : ?

Hence, the correct answer is "162".

The logic follows here is:

1st and 2nd letters are interchanged, the 5th and 6th letters are also interchanged.

3rd and 4th letters are decreased by 1 and interchanged.

Similarly,

Hence, the correct answer is "OMHAEL".

The image can be seen in the following figure:

Hence, the correct answer is "Option (4)".

Drawing the figure as per the information given in the question:-

From figure,

EC = AB = 58 Km

But EC = ED + CD 

58 = 31 + CD

CD = 58 - 31 = 27 Km

Here, FG = CD

Y = 27 Km

Hence, the correct answer is "27 Km".

According to the given information:

Sun's direction in the morning is East.

The shadow falls in the West in the morning.

Shadow is on the left of Sunita means Sunita's left is West.

And Shadow is on the right of Vinita means Vinita's left is East.

Thus, Vinita is facing to the South. 

Hence, the correct answer is "South".

The logic follows here is:

Each letter is increasing by 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Option 1 → 

Option 2 → 

Option 3 → 

Option 4 → 

Thus we can see 'TWAFK' doesn't follow the pattern of the same.

Hence, the correct answer is "Option (4)".

According to the given information :

After interchanging their positions,

Total number of students = Position from the left + Position from the right - 1

Total number of students = 14 + 21 - 1 = 35 - 1 = 34

Hence, the correct answer is "34".

The correct answer is floods.

• The Khadar is composed of newer alluvium and forms the flood plains along the river banks.
• They are sandy clays and loams, more dry and leached, less calcareous and carbonaceous.
• The banks are flooded almost every year and a new layer of alluvium is deposited with every flood. This makes them the most fertile soils of Ganges.

Additional Information

• The Bhangar is the older alluvium along the river beds forming terraces higher than the flood plain.
• A few metres below the terrace of the bhangar are beds of lime nodules known as “Kankar”.
• The Bhangar is of a more clayey composition and is generally dark colored.
• Terai is an ill-drained, damp (marshy) and thickly forested narrow tract (15-30 km wide) to the south of Bhabar running parallel to it.

The correct answer is Article 32.

• Article 32 deals with the 'Right to Constitutional Remedies'.
• It affirms the right to move the Supreme Court by appropriate proceedings for the enforcement of the rights conferred in Part III of the Constitution.
• It is a fundamental right, which states that individuals have the right to approach the Supreme Court (SC) seeking enforcement of other fundamental rights recognized by the Constitution.

Key Points

• The SC has the power to issue directions or orders or writs for the enforcement of any of the fundamental rights.
• The writs issued may include habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, and quo-warranto.
• Article 226 of the Constitution empowers a high court to issue writs for the enforcement of the fundamental rights of the citizens and for any other purpose.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Black Soil.

• The parent material for most of the black soil are the volcanic rocks that were formed in the Deccan Plateau (Deccan and the Rajmahal trap).
• These are the region of high temperature and low rainfall.
• The black colour is due to the presence of a small proportion of titaniferous magnetite or iron and black constituents of the parent rock.
• It is spread over 46 lakh sq km (16.6 per cent of the total area) across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, parts of Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
• These soils are best suited for cotton crop. Hence these soils are called regur and black cotton soils.
• Other crops grown are - wheat, jowar, linseed, Virginia tobacco, castor, sunflower and millets, etc.

Additional Information

The correct answer is 12th.

• The 12th Five Year Plan duration is from 2012 to 2017, under the leadership of Manmohan Singh.
• The theme of the five-year plan was “Faster, More Inclusive and Sustainable Growth”.
• The 12th Five Year Plan had a growth target of 8%.

Important Points

• Planning Commission was replaced by a new institution – NITI AAYOG on January 1, 2015, with emphasis on ‘Bottom –Up’ approach.
• NITI stands for “National Institution for Transforming India”.
• It is the country’s premier policy-making institution that is expected to bolster the economic growth of the country.
• Prime Minister of India is the Chairperson of the NITI Aayog.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Kiran Desai.

• Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard is a novel by Kiran Desai published in 1998.
• It is her first book and won the top prize for the Betty Trask Awards in 1998.
• Kiran Desai is an Indian author and her novel 'The Inheritance of Loss' won the 2006 Man Booker Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Fiction Award.
• She was awarded a 2013 Berlin Prize Fellowship at the American Academy in Berlin.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Ashoke Sen.

• Ashoke Sen was among the first recipients of the Fundamental Physics Prize "for opening the path to the realisation that all string theories are different limits of the same underlying theory".
• Ashoke Sen, a string theorist at India’s Harish-Chandra Research Institute, was one of nine winners of the first Yuri Milner Fundamental Physics Prize, 2012.
• At US$3 million, the award is worth nearly three times more than a Nobel and is the most lucrative academic prize in the world.
• He is also the recipient of the Padma Shri Award in the year 2001.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Narmada.

• The Dhuandhar Falls are located on the Narmada River in Bhedaghat and are 30 meters high.
• The Dhuandhar Falls is a waterfall in Jabalpur district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
• It is also known as the Smoke cascade and is located at Bhedaghat 30 km away from Jabalpur.
• It is believed that a dip in the holy river can wash away one’s sins.

Key Points

The correct answer is Malda.

• Malda or English Bazar is a city in the Indian state of West Bengal.
• The city of Malda is located on the banks of the Mahananda river, a tributary of the river Ganges.
• As of the 2011 census, Malda metropolitan city had a total population of 324,237.
• The chief minister of the state of West Bengal is Smt. Mamta Banerjee.
• La Ganesan is the new governor of West Bengal. (2022)

Additional Information

• The tourist attraction places like Kurukshetra, Panipat, and Surajkund is located in the Indian state of Haryana.
• Kurukshetra is a city in the north Indian state of Haryana. It's known as the setting of the Hindu epic poem the "Mahabharata."
• Panipat is a historic city in Haryana, India. The three famous battles of Panipat was fought here in the year 1526, 1556, and 1761.
• Surajkund is an ancient reservoir of the 10th century located on Southern Delhi Ridge of Aravalli range in Faridabad city of Haryana.

The correct answer is Ziyarat.

Key Points

• Pilgrimage, called ziyarat, to tombs of Sufi saints is prevalent all over the Muslim world.
• This practice is an occasion for seeking the Sufi's spiritual grace (Barakat).
• Worship at Sufi shrines is called ‘Ziyarat’. Dancing and singing especially Qawwali, were part of such worship.
• Sufi saints believe that reciting the name of God (Zikra) and listening (Sama).
• Chisti Sama was popularised by Amir Khusrow.

Additional Information

• The term ‘Sufi’ is probably derived from the Arabic ‘suf’ word which means ‘one who wears wool’.
• Sufism is a mystical form of Islam, a school of practice that focuses on the spiritual search for God and shuns materialism.
• There were twelve silsilas or orders under the Bashara. The most important ones were Chisti, Suhrawardi, etc.
• Bashara is a Sufi order in which the Sufi saints obey Islamic laws.
• The most important saint of Chisti order was Moinuddin Chishti, who died in 1236 in Ajmer. His resting place is the Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Ajmer, Rajasthan.
• Suhrawardi order was founded by Abdul-Wahid Abu Najib as-Suhrawardi.
• The term "Futuh" (فتوح) is a medieval Arabic term that can be translated as "conquests" or "openings." It is primarily used in the context of the early Islamic conquests following the death of the Prophet Muhammad. These conquests rapidly expanded the Islamic territories beyond the Arabian Peninsula, covering vast areas of the Middle East, North Africa, and into the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) as well as eastward into the Persian Empire and beyond.

The correct answer is blue economy.

• In the budget 2020-21, the target of 200 lakh tonnes of fish production by 2022-23 has been set as a part of the blue economy.
• The first budget of the third decade (2020-21) was given by the Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman.
• Blue Economy is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health.
• The concept was introduced by Gunter Pauli in his 2010 book- “The Blue Economy: 10 years, 100 innovations, 100 million jobs”.

Additional Information

• Blue Economy advocates the greening of ocean development strategies for higher productivity and conservation of the ocean's health.
• This is reflected in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 14), which calls to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
• It encompasses - Renewable Energy, Fisheries, Maritime Transport, Tourism, Climate Change, Waste Management, etc.

The correct answer is New Zealand.

• In 1967–68, India won their first series outside the subcontinent against New Zealand.

Key Points

• The series started off with India’s first-ever overseas Test win and ended in a 3-1 sweep in favour of India.
• India won their first overseas Test on February 20, 1968, at Carisbrook, Dunedin, New Zealand, under Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi.
• The Indian cricket team made its Test cricket debut in 1931 - 32 in Lord's against England.
• Lala Amarnath was the first batsman ever to score a century for India in Test cricket.
• First Captain for the Indian Test team is CK Nayudu (1932–1934) played 3 matches.
• First Captain for the Indian ODI team is Ajit Wadekar (1974).
• First Captain for the Indian T20 team is Virender Sehwag (2006).

The correct answer is Tamil Nadu.

• The Mettur Dam is one of the largest dams in India and also the largest in Tamil Nadu, located across the river Cauvery.
• Mettur is known for its huge dam, power generation, chemical manufacturing, and aluminium production.
• Most of the water requirements for irrigation in Tamil Nadu is provided by the Mettur Dam.
• The Mettur Dam is also called Stanley Reservoir.
• The dam was made in the year 1934 (after 9 years of foundation stone).
• The maximum height and width of the dam are 214 and 171 feet respectively.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Guarantee.

Key Points

• The full form of MGNREGA is Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.
• MGNREGA is one of the largest work guarantee programmes in the world.
• The primary objective of the scheme is to guarantee 100 days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work.

Additional Information 

• The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act was passed on 23rd August 2005 and launched on 2nd February 2006.
• It gives a significant amount of control to the Gram Panchayats for managing public works, and strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions.
• The State Employment Guarantee Council is responsible to advise state government for the implementation of the MGNREGA scheme.
• As of 11th February 2021; 708 districts are covered under the scheme.

The correct answer is Rice.

• Rice blast disease, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae (Ascomycota), occurs in about 80 countries on all continents where rice is grown, in both paddy fields and upland cultivation.
• The extent of damage caused depends on environmental factors, but worldwide it is one of the most devastating cereal diseases, resulting in losses of 10–30% of the global yield of rice.
• Other common diseases of the crop of rice are - Blight, Bacterial leaf streak, Brown spot, Sheath blight, False smut, etc.

Additional Information

• The biological agents that causing diseases to plants are known as pathogens.
• Some of the viral diseases in plants are - bud blight (soyabeans), Curly tops (Beans, tomato, etc.), Mosaic leaf (Tomato, pea, potato,tobacco, etc.).
• Some of the bacterial diseases in plants are - Blights (vegetable crops), Bacterial wilts (Tobacco, potatoes, etc), Cankers (Woody plants), Leaf Spots, Soft Wrots, etc.
• Some of the fungal diseases in the plants are - Cankers, Ergot, Rusts, Root rots, Scabs, Smuts, etc.
  

The correct answer is 1976.

• The word ‘Secular’ got inserted in the Preamble of the Constitution of India through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976.
• The term “Secular” means being "separate" from religion or having no religious basis.
• Secularism means separation of religion from political, economic, social and cultural aspects of life, religion is treated as a purely personal matter.
• Indian Secularism is also reflected in its fundamental rights (Article 25-28) where it guarantees each of its citizens the right to practice any religion.

Additional Information

• Important Points of the 42nd Constitutional Amendment of 1976:
• Added three new words (i.e., socialist, secular and integrity) in the Preamble.
• Added Fundamental Duties by the citizens (new Part IV A).
• Added three new Directive Principles viz., equal justice and free legal aid, the participation of workers in the management of industries and protection of the environment, forests, and wildlife.
• Extended the one-time duration of the President’s rule in a state from 6 months to one year.
• Shifted five subjects from the state list to the concurrent list.

The correct answer is Pratibha Devi Singh Patil.

• Pratibha Patil was an Indian lawyer and politician who was the first woman to serve as President of India (2007–12).
• In 1985 she won a seat in the Rajya Sabha and she served as deputy chairman of that body from 1986 to 1988.
• She previously served as the Governor of Rajasthan from 2004 to 2007.
• Patil is the only woman to have held the office of the President (12th President of India).

Additional Information

The correct answer is Madhya Pradesh.

 

Key PointsThe Supreme Court asked the Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh to face a floor test  to end the political uncertainty in the state.

• A bench of justices DY Chandrachud and Hemant Gupta also said the 16 rebel Congress MLAs who had resigned and were at a Bengaluru resort, should be provided security if they wished to return to Bhopal and take part in the voting.
• Madhya Pradesh state is made up of 54 Districts, which are grouped into 10 divisions. The capital of MP is Bhopal.
• Madhya Pradesh has a 230-seat state legislative assembly.
• Madhya Pradesh also sends 40 members me to the Parliament of India: 29 are elected to the Lok Sabha (Lower House) and 11 to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House).
• As of December 2020, the current governor is Lalji Tandon, and the chief minister is Shivraj Singh Chouhan of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Additional InformationAs of Sept 2023:

The correct answer is 14.

• Ram Nath Kovind is an Indian politician who served as the 14th and was President of India from July 2017 to July 2022.
• He also served as the 26th Governor of Bihar from 2015 to 2017.
• He was also a Member of the Rajya Sabha from 1994 to 2006.
• He replaced Shri Pranab Mukherjee as the President of India.

Additional Information

List of Presidents of India:

The correct answer is Abdul Hamid Lahori.

• ​​Badshah Nama is a genre of works written as the official history of the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan’s reign.
• The name of the author of Badshah Nama is Abdul Hamid Lahori.
• Abdul Hamid Lahori was a traveller and historian during the period of Shah Jahan who later became a court historian of Shah Jahan.
• He has described Shah Jahan's life and activities during the first twenty years of his reign in this book in great detail.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Colin Mackenzie.

• In 1815, Colin Mackenzie was appointed as the first Surveyor General of India. He hold this post from 1815 to 1821.
• The Surveyor General of India is the Head of Department of Survey of India, a Department under the Ministry of Science and Technology of Government of India.
• Colin Mackenzie was appointed Surveyor General of Madras Presidency in 1810 but these posts were abolished in 1815.

Important Points

• The East India Company appointed James Rennell to survey the Bengal Presidency in 1767.
• The current Surveyor General is Major General Girish Kumar as on December 2020.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Dena Bank.

• In 2019, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank got merged with Bank of Baroda, making it the third-largest state-run bank.
• Vijaya Bank was a public sector bank with its corporate office in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. It was founded in 1931.
• Dena Bank was an Indian public sector bank. It was headquartered in Mumbai. It was founded in 1938.
• Bank of Baroda is a public sector bank headquartered in Vadodara. It was founded in the year 1908.

Additional Information

• In 2017, the State Bank of India (SBI) took over five of its associates and Bharatiya Mahila Bank.
• In April 2019, Punjab National Bank (PNB) became the second-largest lender of the company after taking over Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank of India.
• Canara Bank and Syndicate Bank merged to form the fourth largest PSB with the business of Rupees 15.20 lakh crore.
• Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank will be got amalgamated into Union Bank of India, making it fifth largest public sector bank.
• Indian Bank and Allahabad Bank merged to become the seventh-largest PBS of India.

The correct answer is January 3.

• Perihelion is the point when Earth is closest to Sun and it occurs around 3rd January. The distance is 147.5 million km.
• Earth travels 939,886,400 km along its elliptical orbit in a single revolution.
• The average distance is 150 million km, but the orbit is elliptical and there is the difference if 2.5 million km.

Important Points

• On about July 4th earth is Farthest from Sun and this is called Aphelion.
• Speed of Earth is fastest at Perihelion and slowest at Aphelion.
• The words come from Ancient Greek, in which helios means “Sun,” apo means “far,” and peri means “close.”
• Earth orbits the Sun in an elliptical path—which is oval, not circular.

The correct answer is Acute.

• The full form of the SARS disease is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
• SARS is a viral respiratory disease caused by a SARS-associated coronavirus.
• It was first identified at the end of February 2003 during an outbreak that emerged in China and spread to 4 other countries.

Key Points

• SARS is an airborne virus and can spread through small droplets of saliva in a similar way to the cold and influenza.
• SARS can also be spread indirectly via surfaces that have been touched by someone who is infected with the virus.
• It was the first severe and readily transmissible new disease to emerge in the 21st century.
• In the first 20 years of the 21st century, the world has seen outbreaks of avian influenza, Ebola virus disease, Zika virus disease, Nipah virus disease, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Disease (MERS), and novel coronavirus.

The correct answer is Jaspal Rana.

• Jaspal Rana won the 'Coach of the Year Award' at the Times of India Sports Award 2019.
• The 4th edition of TOISA (Times of India Sports Awards) awards honoured the best Indian in 2019 sports in New Delhi, India.
• The event was powered by BHIM-UPI (Bharat Interface for Money- Unified Payments Interface).

Key Points

• Rohit Sharma was named the Cricketer of the year.
• PV Sindhu was named as the Sportsperson of the year as she won gold at the World Championships in Basel, Switzerland.
• Some of the winners of the Times of India Awards 2019 are:

The correct answer is Yakshagana.

• Yakshagana is a traditional folk dance form popular in coastal Karnataka districts.
• The word Yakshagana is derived from two words: Yaksha means Nature's spirit and Gana means Song.
• It was developed in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Shimoga and western parts of Chikmangalur districts.

Key Points

• A total of 14 Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) elements from India have been inscribed to date on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
• The Ministry of Culture makes regular Schemes, as well as organisations, make efforts towards the preservation, protection and promotion of intangible cultural heritage in the country.
• The list of 13 UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Sites is given below:

Confusion Points

• Durga Puja is the 14th intangible cultural heritage element.

The correct answer is the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award.

• The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize was established by CSIR in 1958.
• The First Winner of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize was Kariamanickam Srinivasa Krishnan.
• The prize is named after the Founder Director Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar.
• Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize is given each year for outstanding contributions to science and technology.
• Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes each of the value of Rs 5 lakh, are awarded annually.

Additional Information

• In 1920, Krishnan went to work with C. V. Raman at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata.
• Krishnan conferred with the Padma Bhushan award by the Government of India in 1954.
• On 4 January 1947. Dr. K. S. Krishnan was appointed as the first director of National Physical Laboratory India.
• Sir Kariamanikkam Srinivasa Krishnan was an Indian physicist. He was a co-discoverer of Raman scattering, for which his mentor C. V. Raman was awarded the 1930 Nobel Prize in Physics.

The correct answer is 7.

• The Padma Vibhushan is the second-highest civilian award of the Republic of India.
• second only to the Bharat Ratna and followed by Padma Bhushan.
• When instituted in 1954, 6 recipients were honoured with the Padma Vibhushan.
• Pahla Varg  was the previous name of Padma Vibhushan.
• List of Padma Vibhushan awardees in 2020 is bellow:

Additional Information

• Padma Bhushan
• Padma Bhushan is the third-highest civilian award in the Republic of India, preceded by the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan and followed by the Padma Shri.
• When instituted in 1954  twenty-three recipients were honoured with the Padma Bhushan.
• Dusra Varg was the previous name of Padma Bhushan.

The correct answer is 2.

• Acetic acid contains two carbon atoms, four hydrogen atoms, and two oxygen atoms.

• Acetic acid systematically named ethanoic acid.

• Acetic acid is an organic compound with the formula CH₃COOH.

• Molar mass: 60.052 g/mol

• Density: 1.05 g/cm³

• Boiling point: 118°C

• Melting point: 16.6°C

Additional Information

• Acetic acid is produced industrially via the carbonylation of methanol. The chemical equations for the three steps involved in this process are provided below.
• CH₃OH (methanol) + HI (hydrogen iodide) → CH₃I (methyl iodide intermediate) + H₂O
• CH₃I + CO (carbon monoxide) → CH3COI (acetyl iodide)
• CH₃COI + H₂O → CH₃COOH (acetic acid) + HI

The correct answer is Boron.

Key Points

• Boron is similar to carbon in its capability to form stable covalently bonded molecular networks.
• Discovered by Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac in 1808. It has an atomic number of 5 in the periodic table.
• Boron is used to treat menstrual cramps, and vaginal yeast infections.
• Boron is a chemical element with the symbol B.
• Boron is rare in the Universe and solar system due to trace formation in the Big Bang and in stars.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Mohun Bagan.

• Mohun Bagan won their second I-League title and fifth national league crown overall with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Aizawl FC at the Kalyani Stadium.
• The 2019–20 I-League was the 13th season of the I-League.
• I- League is one of the top Indian professional football leagues, since its establishment in 2007.
• The I-League is one of two co-existing premier football leagues in Indian football system, along with the Indian Super League.

Additional Information

The correct answer is -10.

• The units of temperature scale are useful in differentiating temperatures from one scale to another
• The temperature in the Celsius scale is denoted by °C.
• The temperature in the Fahrenheit scale is denoted by °F.
• The relation between the Celsius (C) scale to its Fahrenheit (F) is given by F = 9/5C + 32.

Important Points

• Some of the conversion formulae include:
• Kelvin to Fahrenheit Conversion Formula F= 9/5 (°K-273)+32.
• Fahrenheit to Kelvin Conversion Formula K= 5/9 (°F-32)+273.
• Celsius to Kelvin Conversion Formula K= °C+273.
• Human body temperature on the Fahrenheit scale is 98.4°F and in the Celsius scale it is 37°C.

The correct answer is Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur.

Key Points

• Brihadeshwara Temple, also known as Raja Rajeswara Temple, is dedicated to Shiva and is located in Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu).
• It is one of the best examples of the Dravidian style of temple architecture built by Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola I ( 985-1014 AD) between 1003 AD and 1010 AD.
• The temple consists of a pyramidal spire and is adorned with sculptures and paintings inside as well as outside.
• The temple entered the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1987 and is also a part of "Great Living Chola Temples" along with the Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholapuram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Odisha.

• The Gadaba tribe is popular for its tribal dance known as the Dhemsa. It is performed in groups on all kinds of special occasions.
• The tribe celebrates its joys and cope with sorrows through this folk dance.
• The Gadabas are an ethnic group from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. They are one of the earliest settlers in the region.
• The community’s name, Gadaba, means ‘a man carrying weight on his shoulders’.
• The main occupations are cattle-rearing, hunting, and agriculture. They speak the Austro-Asiatic language called Gutob and the Dravidian language called Ollari.

Additional Information

The correct answer is D.

Key Points

• Vitamins are organic compounds that are required in small amounts in our diet but their deficiency causes specific diseases.
• Vitamins are designated by alphabets A, B, C, D, etc. Some of them are further named as sub-groups e.g. B1, B2, B6, B12, etc.
• Vitamins that are soluble in fat and oils but insoluble in water are kept in this group. These are vitamins A, D, E, and K.
• B group vitamins and vitamin C are soluble in water so they are grouped together.
• Vitamin D helps our body to use calcium for bones and teeth. Exposure to sunlight synthesizes Vitamin- D.

Important Points

 

Additional Information

• The deficiency of Vitamin- E can result in less fertility.
• The deficiency of Vitamin- K can result in non-clotting of blood.

The correct answer is Bindusara.

Key Points

• Bindusara is known as “The Son of a Great Father and the Father of a Great Son” because he was the son of a great father Chandragupta Maurya and the father of a great son Ashoka, the Great.
• He ruled the Mauryan dynasty from 298 BC to 273 BC.
• Bindusara brought sixteen states under the Mauryan Empire and thus conquered almost the entire Indian peninsula.
• The Mauryas were a dynasty, more than 2300 years ago, with three important rulers — Chandragupta, his son Bindusara, and Bindusara’s son, Ashoka.
• Ashoka was one of the greatest rulers known to history and on his instructions, inscriptions were carved on pillars, as well as on rock surfaces.
• Most of Ashoka’s inscriptions were in Prakrit and were written in the Brahmi script.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Kamalesh Sharma.

• Kamalesh Sharma is an Indian diplomat he was the 5th Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations from 2008 to 2016.
• From 2002 to 2004, Mr Sharma served as the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General to Timor Leste, with the rank of Under-Secretary-General**.**
• Mr Sharma's special interests lie in the empowerment of young people, the advancement of women's rights, the challenge of poverty eradication and economic growth.
• Mr Sharma is Chancellor Emeritus of Queen’s University, Belfast, and a fellow at Harvard University.

Additional Information

The correct answer is 30.

• The interior structure of the Earth is made up of three main shells the very thin and brittle crust the mantle and the core.
• The earth s radius is 6,370 km.
• Earth is moving about our sun in a very nearly circular orbit. It covers this route at a speed of nearly 30 kilometres per second or 67,000 miles per hour.
• The circumference of a circle is equal to 2 x π x r. So in one year, Earth travels about 584 million miles.
• Earth travels about 1.6 million miles a day.

Important Points

• Structure of the Earth.

The correct answer is Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

• Chattopadhyay's first novel was an English one, Rajmohan's Wife (1864) and he also started writing his religious and philosophical essays in English.
• Vande Mataram is a Bengali poem written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in the 1870s and was first sung by Rabindranath Tagore.
• This poem became a popular marching song for political activism and the Swadeshi movement in 1905.
• Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's other novels include (all languages) - Anandmath, Vande-Matram, Durgeshnandini, Kapalkundala, Devi Chaudhirani, etc.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Candela

• In the field of physics the Candela can be defined as the unit of luminous intensity a measure of the wavelength weighted power emitted by a source of light.
• The Candela is a base unit which can be defined by taking the fixed value of the luminous efficacy of the monochromatic radiation having a frequency of 540 * 1012 Hertz. Alternately, it can be described as the luminous power corresponding to one unit solid angle that is emitted by a point source of light.
• Unit system SI base unit.
• Unit of  Luminous intensity.
• International candles  ≈ 1.02 cp
• Candela symbol is cd.

Additional Information