General Awareness PYQs

The correct answer is 4.5%

Key Points

• The Second five-year plan was based on the Mahalanobis model, an economic development model developed by the Indian statistician Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in 1953.
• PC Mahalanobis established the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in Calcutta in 1931 and for the same reason, he is known as the father of Indian Statistics. He was a member of the first Planning Commission of free India.
• The estimated growth target for the Second Five-Year Plan in India was 4.5%. However, the actual growth rate was 4.27%
• The second five-year plan was for the year 1956-1961, this plan was based on the Russian model of industrialization.
• The second five-year plan focused on the development of the public sector and rapid Industrialisation. The plan attempted to determine a balanced allocation of investment between productive sectors in order to maximize long-run economic growth.
• As a result, hydroelectric power projects across the country and five steel plants at Bhilai, Durgapur, and Rourkela were established with the help of Russia, Britain (the U.K), and West Germany respectively. Coal production was increased. More railway lines were added all over the country.
• The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and Atomic Energy Commission of India was established to promote research in India.

Additional Information

• Basic information about planning commission and 5- year plans:
• Planning commission founded: 1950.
• Planning Commission head: Prime Minister
• First five-year plan launched: 1951
• A total number of 5- year plans: 12.
• Last five-year plan: 2012 to 2017.
• Planning Commission dissolved: 2014 (By PM Narendra Modi).

The correct answer is Bas relief

Key Points

• The walls of the Great Stupa of Amaravati were adorned with bas relief sculptures.
• The stupa is located in the Lower Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh, India.
• The stupa was built in the 2^nd century BCE during the Satavahana dynasty.
• The walls of the stupa were decorated with carved panels and medallions.

Additional Information

• The sculptures depicted scenes from the life of the Buddha, as well as Jaina deities.
• The sculptures were carved from white or cream limestone, which gave them a marble-like appearance.
• The sculptures are known as the "marbles" of Amaravati.
• The sculptures are considered to be a prime example of ancient Indian art and architecture.

The correct answer is Employees Provident Fund Organisation

Key Points

• Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY) was launched in 2020 as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat package.
• The Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY) was implemented through the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
• It aimed to incentivize the creation of new employment opportunities during the post-COVID recovery phase.
• The scheme provides subsidies for the provident fund contributions of new employees and their employers.
• The objective of ABRY is to promote formal employment and reduce the adverse impact of COVID-19 on the labor market.
• The scheme targeted both new hires and those who had lost their jobs during the pandemic, encouraging businesses to re-hire.

Additional Information

The correct answer is A-IV, B-I, C-II, D-III

Key Points

• (A) Maharashtra → Elephanta Caves → IV
• (B) Delhi → Jamali Qamali Mosque → I
• (C) Rajasthan → Hawa Mahal → II
• (D) Gujarat → Laxmi Vilas Palace → III

Additional Information

• Maharashtra
• Monument: Elephanta Caves
• Elephanta Caves are located near Mumbai in Maharashtra.
• They are a group of rock-cut caves known for their ancient sculptures and Buddhist and Hindu influences.
• Rajasthan
• Monument: Hawa Mahal
• Hawa Mahal is located in Jaipur, Rajasthan, but a commonly mistaken match is with Delhi.
• Delhi
• Monument: Jamali Qamali Mosque
• Jamali Qamali Mosque and Tomb is located in Delhi, and not Rajasthan.
• But for the purpose of matching here, we consider the known landmarks of Rajasthan that fit the description.
• Gujarat
• Monument: Laxmi Vilas Palace
• Laxmi Vilas Palace is situated in Vadodara, Gujarat.
• It is a grand palace built by the Gaekwad dynasty, showcasing Indo-Saracenic architectural style.

The correct answer is 0.4

Key Points

• In economics, the marginal propensity to consume (MPC) is the proportion of an aggregate raise in pay that a consumer spends on the consumption of goods and services, as opposed 1  to saving it.
• The marginal propensity to save (MPS) is the fraction of an increase in income that is not spent on consumption.
• Because income is either spent or saved, the sum of MPC and MPS is always equal to 1.
• Given
• MPC = 0.6, we can calculate MPS as follows:
• MPS = 1 - MPC
• MPS = 1 - 0.6
• MPS = 0.4

The correct answer is Krishna III 

Key Points

• Krishna III, the Rashtrakuta king, conquered the Cholas in 949 CE.
• He defeated the Chola king Parantaka I and annexed the Chola empire.
• Krishna III was the last great ruler of the Rashtrakuta dynasty.
• He ruled from 939–967 CE.
• He also fought against the Chalukyas of Vengi and the Parmaras of Malwa.
• After defeating the Cholas, Krishna III divided the Chola empire among his slaves.
• He then built a temple and erected a victory pillar in Rameshwaram.

Additional Information

• The Rashtrakuta Empire of Manyakheta was founded by Dantidurga (reigned 735-756 CE), also known as Dantivarman II.
• Gulbarga was his capital in Karnataka.
• He was succeeded by his uncle Krishna I, who extended the kingdom to all of Karnataka.
• In 753 Dantidurga defeated the Chalukyas and took the titles Rajadhiraja and Parameshvara.
• In the mid-eighth century, Rashtrakuta chief Dantidurga overthrew his Chalukyan overlord and performed a ritual called hiranya-garbha (literally, the golden womb).
• It was believed that performing this ritual with the help of Brahmanas would result in the sacrificer being reborn as a Kshatriya, even if he was not a Kshatriya by birth.

The correct answer is Punjab 

Key Points

• Rubber is not a major cultivation in Punjab.
• It is known for its agricultural output of rice, cotton, pearl millet, fruits, and wheat.
• Rubber is a major crop in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
• It is also cultivated in other states like Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, and West Bengal.
• Rubber is an important industrial raw material that is used to make over 35,000 products, including toy balloons and tires.

Additional Information

• Largest Rubber Producing States in India — Kerala
• Production — 490,460 tonnes
• Kerala is the largest producer of natural rubber in India, contributing significantly to the country's total output.
• The state produces approximately 490,460 tonnes of rubber annually. Its favorable climate and extensive rubber plantations make it an ideal location for rubber cultivation.
• The rubber industry in Kerala plays a crucial role in the state's economy, providing employment to thousands of people and supporting numerous businesses related to rubber processing and manufacturing.
• 5^th Largest Rubber Producing States in India — Tamil Nadu
• Production — 21,500 tonnes
• Tamil Nadu is another significant rubber-producing state in India, with an annual production of about 21,500 tonnes. The state's favorable climatic conditions and fertile soil make it suitable for rubber cultivation. Tamil Nadu's rubber plantations are primarily located in the Kanyakumari district. The rubber industry in the state supports numerous smallholders and contributes to the local economy by providing raw materials for various rubber-based industries.
• 6^th Largest Rubber Producing States in India — Meghalaya
• Production — 9,100 tonnes
• Meghalaya produces around 9,100 tonnes of natural rubber annually.
• The state's hilly terrain and high rainfall create ideal conditions for rubber cultivation.
• Rubber plantations in Meghalaya are mostly small and managed by local farmers. The rubber industry in the state is growing, helping to improve the livelihoods of many rural families.

The correct answer is L K Advani

Key Points

• My Country My Life is an autobiographical book by L. K. Advani, an Indian politician who served as the Deputy Prime Minister of India.
• The book was released on 19 March 2008 by Abdul Kalam, the eleventh President of India.
• The book has 1,040 pages and narrates autobiographical accounts and events in the life of Advani.
• It became the best-seller book in non-fiction. The book alongside mentions the event in Indian politics and India's history from 1900 till date.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Haryana

Key Points

• The Hockey Haryana Women's U-18 team won the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2022 in Bhubaneswar.
• The team beat Madhya Pradesh in the final.
• The Khelo India Youth Games are annual national sports competitions for young athletes in India.
• The 2022 Khelo India Youth Games were held in five cities in Haryana, including Panchkula, Shahabad, Ambala, Chandigarh, and Delhi.
• The Khelo India initiative was proposed by the Indian government in 2017 to revive the country's sports culture.

Additional Information Khelo India Youth Games:

• Earlier they are known as Khelo India School Games
• ​The second edition of Khelo India Youth Games was held in Pune.
• Maharashtra topped the Medal tally with 228 medals, whereas Haryana and Delhi claimed the second and third spot.
• Maharashtra bagged 'General Championship of Khelo India 2019' with 85 Gold Medals.
• Students from colleges and universities competed in the games.
• The 1^st edition of Khelo India games was held in Delhi in January 2018.
• The Khelo India games are organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
• 3^rd edition of the Khelo India Youth Games will be held at Guwahati from January 18-30, 2020. The Games will see a participation of more than 10,000 athletes and officials. It will be conducted in partnership with IOA, SGFI, and Assam as a host state.

The correct answer is Harshacharita 

Key Points

• Banabhatta:
• Banabhatta​ was a court poet of King Harshavardhana.
• He was one of the great patronages of Sanskrit Literature.
• Banabhatta was the Asthana Kavi in the court of King Harsha.
• He was court poet of Harshavardhana, who wrote a book called Harshacharitra.
• He was the writer of the world’s earliest novel Kadambari.​

Additional Information

• Harshavardhana:
• With the commencement of the 7^th century, Harshavardhana (606-647 A.D.) ascended the throne of Thaneshwar and Kannauj on the death of his brother, Rajyavardhana.
• By 612 Harshavardhana consolidated his kingdom in northern India.
• Harshavardhana is well known for his religious toleration, able administration and diplomatic relations.
• He maintained diplomatic relations with China and sent envoys, who exchanged ideas of the Chinese rulers and developed their knowledge about each other.
• The Chinese traveller, Hiuen Tsang, who visited India during his reign, has given a vivid description of the social, economic and religious conditions, under the rule of Harsha spoke highly of the king.

The correct answer is Indian Council Act of 1861.

Key Points

• Indian Council Act, 1861:
• ​Lord Canning, who was the Governor-General and Viceroy at the time, introduced the portfolio system. In this system, each member was assigned a portfolio of a particular department. Hence, option 1 is correct.
• For the executive functions of the Council, a fifth member was added. Now there were five members for home, military, law, revenue and finance. (A sixth member for public works was added in 1874.)
• For legislative purposes, the Governor-General’s Council was enlarged. Now, there were to be between 6 and 12 additional members (nominated by the Governor-General).
• Lord Canning nominated three Indians to the Council in 1862 namely, the Raja of Benares, the Maharaja of Patiala and Sir Dinkar Rao.

Additional Informatio

• Any bill related to public revenue or debt, military, religion or foreign affairs could not be passed without the Governor-General’s assent.
• The Viceroy had the power to overrule the council if necessary.
• The Governor-General also had the power to promulgate ordinances without the council’s concurrence during emergencies.
• The Secretary of State for India in Britain could also dissolve any act passed by the Governor-General’s Council.

The correct answer is 1784.

Key Points

• Pitt's India Act of 1784:​​
• It was named after the British prime minister William Pitt the Younger.
• The Pitt’s India Act, 1784 also called the East India Company Act, 1784.
• Pitt’s India Act, 1784 was passed to rectify the defects of the Regulating Act of 1773.
• It distinguished between the commercial and political functions of the company.

Additional Information

• It allowed the Court of Directors to manage the commercial affairs but created a new body called the Board of Control to manage the political affairs.
• It empowered the Board of Control to supervise and direct all operations of the civil and military government or revenues of the British possessions in India.
• The company's territories in India were for the first time called the 'British possessions in India'.
• The British Government was given supreme control over Company's affairs and its administration in India.

The correct answer is Sodium

Key Points

• The element with an electronic configuration of 2,8,1 is Sodium (Na)
• Sodium has an atomic number of 11, which corresponds to the electronic configuration 2,8,1.
• This means that a sodium atom has 11 electrons, with 2 in the first energy level (1s), 8 in the second energy level (2s), and 1 in the third energy level (3s).
• Sodium is highly reactive because it tends to lose its outermost electron to achieve a stable configuration

Additional Information 

• Hydrogen (H)
• Atomic Number: 1
• Electronic Configuration: 1
• Hydrogen has only one electron, hence its configuration is 2,0 (as it has no additional shells beyond the first one).
• Chlorine (Cl)
• Atomic Number: 17
• Electronic Configuration: 2,8,7
• Chlorine has a different outer electron configuration with 7 electrons in its outermost shell.
• Magnesium (Mg)
• Atomic Number: 12
• Electronic Configuration: 2,8,2
• Magnesium has 2 electrons in its third shell, so its configuration is 2,8,2.

The correct answer is Neutron

Key Points 

• James Chadwick is best known for discovering the neutron in 1932.
• Neutrons are present in the nucleus of all atoms, except hydrogen.
• In general, a neutron is represented as ‘n’.
• The mass of a neutron is 1.6750 x 10-27 kg.
• The mass of an atom is therefore given by the sum of the masses of protons and neutrons present in the nucleus.
• Neutrons and protons are found in the nucleus of an atom.
• Neutrons were discovered by James Chadwick.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Ribosome.

Key Points

• Ribosomes are organelles in cells that contain RNA
• Ribosomes are the organelles that are made up of ribosomal RNA and proteins.
• Ribosomes are responsible for the synthesis of proteins in the cell.
• Ribosomes can be found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
• Ribosomes can be free in the cytoplasm or attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Additional Information

• Cytoplasm
• The cytoplasm is a jelly-like matrix inside a cell that contains organelles.
• The plasma membrane, or cell membrane, is a selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm.
• The plasma membrane is made of a double layer of phospholipids, which are partly hydrophobic and partly hydrophilic.
• Cell wall
• A cell wall is a structural layer that surrounds some cells, just outside the cell membrane.
• It can be tough, flexible, and sometimes rigid.
• The cell wall provides the cell with structural support, shape, protection, and functions as a selective barrier.
• Cell walls are found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, although not all cells have cell walls.
• Cell base
• A cell base, also known as a cell site or cell tower, is a cellular-enabled mobile device site that creates a cell in a cellular network.
• Cell-based architecture is built around the idea of groupings of services and data around a gateway.

The correct answer is a-ii, b-i, c-iv, d-iii

Key Points

Additional Information 

• Carnivores (a):
• Carnivores are animals that primarily eat other animals. They are secondary or tertiary consumers, meaning they feed on other consumers (herbivores or other carnivores).
• Producers (b):
• Producers are organisms like green plants that produce energy through photosynthesis. They form the base of the food chain and provide energy to other organisms.
• Decomposers (c):
• Decomposers, such as bacteria, break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.
• Herbivores (d):
• Herbivores are animals that primarily eat plants, making them primary consumers in the food chain. They directly feed on producers (green plants).

The correct answer is 1 and 2 both

Key Points

• The six fundamental rights guaranteed by Article 19 of the Indian Constitution can be suspended on the grounds of war or external aggression.
• The 44^th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1978 amended the Constitution to allow the suspension of the six rights under Article 19 only in the case of war or external aggression.
• The suspension of the rights is automatic when a national emergency is declared under Article 358.
• The suspension of the rights does not require a separate order from the President.
• The rights are automatically restored after the emergency ends.

Additional Information

• Article 19 deals with the six Fundamental Rights. They are:
• Right to freedom of speech and expression.
• Right to assemble peacefully and without arms.
• Right to form association or unions or co-operatives.
• Right to move freely throughout the territory of India.
• Right to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India.
• Right to practice any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.

The correct answer is Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

Key Points 

• Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, a former Congress state chief, became the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh on 11 December 2022.
• He is the 4-time incumbent MLA of Nadaun assembly constituency of Himachal Pradesh.
• Sukhu was born on 27 March 1964 in Sera village of Nadaun tehsil of Hamirpur district.
• Sukhu is a lawyer by education, having graduated from Himachal Pradesh University.

Additional Information

• Himachal Pradesh:
• Governor - Sh. Shiv Pratap Shukla
• Number of Districts - 12.
• Lok Sabha seats - 4.
• Rajya Sabha seats - 3.
• National Parks - Great Himalayan National Park, Pin Valley National Park, Inderkilla National Park, Khirganga National Park and Simbalbara National Park.
• Registered GI: Kangra Paintings, Kullu Shawl, Chamba Rumal.

The correct answer is Gross fiscal deficit - Net interest Liabilities

Key Points

• Gross Primary Deficit is the Gross Fiscal Deficit less interest payments.
• Net Primary Deficit is Net Fiscal Deficit minus net interest payments.
• Fiscal deficit indicates total government borrowing requirements including interest whereas primary deficit indicates total government borrowing requirements excluding interest payments.

Additional Information

• The deficit is the amount by which the spending done in a budget surpasses the earnings.
• There are three types of deficit:

1. Revenue deficit
2. Fiscal deficit
3. Primary deficit.

• Revenue deficit:
• A revenue deficit refers to the surplus of the government’s revenue expenditure over the revenue receipts.
• It reflects the inefficiency of the government to reach its regular or recurring expenditure.
• The government may raise its revenue receipts by raising income tax.
• Revenue deficit = Revenue expenditure – Revenue receipts
• Fiscal deficit:
• A fiscal deficit is the excess of budget expenditure over budget receipts other than borrowings.
• It reflects the total government borrowings during a fiscal year.
• Gross fiscal deficit = Total expenditure – (Revenue receipts + Non-debt creating capital receipts)
• Gross fiscal deficit = Net borrowing at home + Borrowing from RBI + Borrowing from abroad
• ​Primary deficit:
• The purpose of measuring the primary deficit is to draw attention to current fiscal imbalances
• The primary deficit is calculated in order to obtain an estimate of the amount of borrowing that will be required due to current expenditures exceeding revenues.
• Gross primary deficit = Gross fiscal deficit – Net interest liabilities

The correct answer is Kerala

Key Points

• The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held in the Punnamada Lake near Alappuzha in Kerala.
• It is one of the most popular and competitive boat races in Kerala, attracting a large number of tourists and participants.
• The race is named after India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who inaugurated the event in 1952.
• The highlight of the event is the competition of the snake boats (Chundan Vallam), which are traditional war boats of Kerala.
• The event is usually held on the second Saturday of August every year.

Additional Information

• Kerala is known for its intricate network of backwaters and canals, making it an ideal location for boat races.
• Besides the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Kerala hosts several other boat races like the Champakulam Moolam Boat Race, Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali, and the Payippad Jalotsavam.
• The boat races are part of Kerala's vibrant culture and are often associated with the Onam festival, which is the state's harvest festival.
• The snake boats used in these races are typically 100 to 120 feet long and require about 100 rowers to maneuver.
• The boat races are a symbol of teamwork, endurance, and the rich cultural heritage of Kerala.