General Awareness PYQs

The correct answer is Both Statement I and Statement II are true.

Key Points

• The original Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath features four lions standing back-to-back.
• The lions are mounted on a circular abacus, which in turn rests on a bell-shaped lotus.
• The State Emblem of India is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka.
• In the State Emblem, the bell-shaped lotus was omitted, and only the abacus and the four lions were retained.
• The adaptation of the Lion Capital as the State Emblem signifies the Republic of India's commitment to peace and goodwill.

Additional Information

• Lion Capital of Ashoka:
• The Lion Capital was originally erected around 250 BCE by Emperor Ashoka to commemorate his conversion to Buddhism.
• It was discovered by archaeologists in 1905-1906 at Sarnath, near Varanasi.
• Symbolism:
• The four lions represent power, courage, confidence, and pride.
• The wheel (Dharma Chakra) depicted on the abacus symbolizes the eternal wheel of law.
• State Emblem of India:
• Adopted on 26^th January 1950, the day India became a republic.
• The State Emblem also includes the motto "Satyameva Jayate" (Truth Alone Triumphs) inscribed below the abacus in Devanagari script.
• Architectural Significance:
• The bell-shaped lotus is a common feature in Mauryan architecture and represents purity and beauty.
• The adaptation of the Lion Capital without the lotus signifies a focus on the symbolic values of the lions and the wheel.

The correct answer is Anorexia Nervosa

Key Points

• Anorexia Nervosa:
• A psychological disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, leading to refusal to eat and severe undernutrition.
• It is often linked to body image issues.
• Individuals with anorexia nervosa have a fear of being overweight or being seen as such, despite the fact that they are typically underweight
• Medical treatment may be required to restore normal weight. Talk therapy can help with self-esteem and behavioural changes.

Additional Information

• Kwashiorkor:
• A form of malnutrition caused by severe protein deficiency, typically seen in children.
• It leads to symptoms like swelling (edema), an enlarged liver, and skin changes.
• Bulimia Nervosa:
• A psychological disorder involving binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like purging, excessive exercise, or fasting.
• Marasmus:
• A severe form of malnutrition caused by a general lack of calories and nutrients,
• It leads to extreme wasting and stunted growth, especially in children.

The correct answer is the Reserve bank of India

Key Points

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI):
• It is not a constitutional body; it is a statutory body established under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
• RBI is known as the 'Central Bank of India' whose primary function to regulate the issue of Banknotes and keeping of reserves with a view to securing monetary stability in India and generally to operate the currency and credit system of the country.
• RBI is also known as 'Apex Bank of India'.
• RBI is also known as 'Banker's Bank'.

Additional Information

These bodies are integral to the framework of India's governance and accountability.

The correct answer is a mountain range 

Key Points

• The Aravalli is a mountain range in India.
• It is the oldest folded mountain range in the country.
• Residual landform, also called Relict Landform, is a landform that was produced as the remains of an ancient landscape, escaping burial or destruction to remain as part of the present landscape.
• Residual landforms are often the result of changed climatic conditions, but they may be due to volcanism or crustal uplift and down warping.
• Circum-erosional or Relict or Residual mountains (Aravallis in India, the Urals in Russia) are the remnants of old fold mountains derived as a result of denudation (strip of covering).
• Residual mountains may also evolve from plateaus that have been dissected by rivers into hills and valleys.

Additional Information

• There are 4 types of mountains
• Fold mountains
• It is created through a process called Orogeny. An orogenic event takes many years to make a fold mountain. When a tectonic plate gets pressure from two sides, it gets folded. The number of its portions become elevated and form the mountains.
• The depressions from the valleys.
• The Himalayas, The Andes, and therefore the Alps are samples of Fold Mountain.
• They're the young mountains of the planet.
• Block Mountain
• When large areas are broken and displaced vertically, Block Mountains are formed. During this case, the uplifted blocks are called horsts.
• On the opposite hand, the lowered blocks are called graben.
• Examples of Block Mountains are the Rhine Valley and therefore the Vosges mountain in Europe.
• Volcanic Mountains:
• A mountain formed through volcanic activity is named Volcanic Mountain.
• Samples of the Volcanic Mountains are Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Fujiyama.
• Andaman and Nicobar islands in India are the tip of the volcanic mountains which rise from the ocean bottom.
• Dome mountains
• It forms when large globs of magma float up from beneath the crust and push up surface rocks, creating a rounded swelling within the crust.
• Once the magma cools, it creates an outsized dome of harder rock under the surface, which erosion sometimes reveals.

The correct answer is David Davidar

Key Points

• The author of the book "The House of Blue Mangoes" is David Davidar.
• The novel explores themes of family, tradition, and identity against the backdrop of a fictional South Indian village.
• It delves into the complexities of relationships, heritage, and personal growth.
• David Davidar is known for his lyrical prose and ability to weave deep emotional narratives, making his works resonate with readers who appreciate rich, character-driven stories.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Patiala.

Key Points

• Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, a musical genius, learned from Kasur Patiala Gharana of music from his father at an early age.
• Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan was an Indian Hindustani classical vocalist, from the Patiala Gharana.
• The most common epithet used to describe Ustad Ghulam Ali Khan is 'Tansen of the 20^th century.
• Often referred to as Bade (older) Ghulam Ali Khan to differentiate him from other maestros of the same name.
• The genius musician was one of the most legendary thumri vocalists of all time, who took the Patiala Gharana.
• Born on 2 April 1902 in Kasur (now in Pakistan), Bade Ghulam Ali Khan belonged to a family of musicians.
• He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the Padma Bhushan in 1962 Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan breathed last on April 25, 1968, at Basheerbagh Palace in Hyderabad.

Additional Information

• Types of Gharana
• Jaipur Gharana :
• The Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana emerged from Alladiya Khan's family which originated from Atrauli and migrated to Jaipur.
• The Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana is Hindustani music founded by Alladiya Khan (1855–1946) in the late 19^th century.
• The Gharana is known for its distinctive vocal aesthetics, raga repertoire, and technical aptitude.
• The chief exponents of the Jaipur Gharana are  Alladiya Khan, Mallikarjun Mansur, Kesarbhai Kerkar, Kishori Amonkar, Shruti Sadolikar, Padma Talwalkar, and Ashwini Bhide Deshpande.
• Patiala Gharana :
• ‘Patiala Gharana’ is one of the Gharanas in Indian Classical Music, which was founded by Ustad Fateh Ali Khan, and also Ustad Ali Baksh.
• Patiala Gharana has both kinds of singing – ‘Thumri’ and ‘Khyal’.
• The most famous exponents of Patiala Gharana are Pakistani ghazal singer Gulam Ali, and also the contemporary singer Shafqat Amanat Ali.
• Both Pakistani singers have also garnered enormous fame in India.
• Banaras Gharana :
• The Benaras Gharana evolved as a result of the great lilting style of khayal singing known by Thumri singers of Benaras and Gaya.
• It was founded by Pt Gopal Mishra.
• The chief exponents of the Benaras Gharana are Rajan Mishra, Sajan Mishra, Girija Devi and others.

The correct answer is 1982.

Key Points

• India organized the Asian Games for the second time in the year 1982.
• The games were held in New Delhi, the capital city of India.
• The mascot for the 1982 Asian Games was Appu, an elephant, symbolizing strength, speed, and a friendly nature.
• India finished fifth in the medal tally, securing
• 13 gold,
• 19 silver, and
• 25 bronze medals.

Additional Information

• Asian Games
• The Asian Games is the largest multi-sport event in Asia, organized every four years.
• The event is governed by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), and the first edition took place in 1951 in New Delhi, India
• Over 45 nations participate in the Games, competing in various disciplines such as athletics, swimming, badminton, and martial arts, among others.
• The Asian Games aim to foster unity, promote excellence in sports, and enhance cooperation among Asian countries through healthy competition.

The correct answer is Bronze

Key Points

• In the 2022 Asia Cup hockey tournament, India had a strong campaign but ultimately secured the Bronze medal.
• The Indian team, under the leadership of Harmanpreet Singh, displayed impressive teamwork and resilience throughout the tournament, narrowly missing out on the final match.
• They defeated Japan in the third-place playoff to claim the Bronze medal.

Additional Information

• The Asia Cup Hockey Tournament is an international field hockey competition held under the auspices of the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF).
• It features national teams from Asia competing for the prestigious title.
• The 2025 Men's Hockey Asia Cup will be the 12^th edition of the Men's Hockey Asia Cup, the quadrennial international men's field hockey championship of Asia organized by the Asian Hockey Federation. It will be held in Rajgir, India from 27 August to 7 September 2025

The correct answer is Humification

Key Points

• Humification is processes that occur during decomposition in soil.
• Humification
• Humification refers to the natural process through which organic matter, such as plant remains, decomposes and transforms into humus
• The process of creating humus, a dark-colored substance that resists microbial action
• Humus is formed, which is stable and provides essential nutrients.
• Humus improves soil structure, enhances fertility, and boosts microbial activity.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Gujarat 

Key Points

• Gujarat is one of the states in India that experiences low rainfall.
• Other states that experience low rainfall include Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab.
• Areas that receive 50 centimeters or less of rainfall are considered low rainfall regions.
• The Kutch region of Gujarat and western Rajasthan receive less than average rainfall.
• The Thar Desert and the Himalayas impact the distribution of rainfall in India.
• The moisture-bearing winds of the southwest monsoon gradually decrease in moisture as they move inland, resulting in low rainfall in western India.
• The economy of Bihar is threatened by declining rainfall, which affects its rain-fed agriculture.

Additional Information

• India mainly receives rainfall from the Monsoons which lasts from June-September. Overall, India receives an average of 200-300 mm of rainfall over the country as a whole with the largest values observed during the monsoon season.
• The average annual rainfall in India is about 300–650 millimeters.
• The rainy season in India is affected by the humid southwest summer monsoon.
• The South of India typically receives more rainfall
• According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mahabaleshwar has recorded the highest rainfall even more than Mawsynram, in Meghalaya. Now, it is considered the wettest place in India.
• Jaisalmer is considered the driest place in India to have received the minimum or scanty rainfall over the years.

The correct answer is Sulphur

Key Points

• Sulphur (S) is not a good conductor of electricity
• Sulphur is a non-metal that is a poor conductor of electricity.
• Good conductors:
• Materials that allow electricity to pass through them, such as silver, gold, copper, aluminum, and graphite.
• Bad conductors:
• Materials that do not allow electricity to pass through them, such as sulphur, plastic, rubber, glass, wood, charcoal, and diamond. ​

Additional Information

• Properties of metals: 
• Metals are good conductors of electricity and heat.
• Metals are malleable and ductile, meaning they can be bent and formed into thin sheets.
• Metals are lustrous.
• Metals are electropositive elements that donate electrons, forming positive ions.
• Metals are made up of lattices of atoms with free electrons.

The correct answer is 1935

Key Points

• The Government of Indian Act was passed by the British parliament in 1935 and came into effect in 1937.
• The creation of a ‘Federation of India’ that consisted of two levels: a central executive and parliament, and below it, provinces and princely states.
• It discarded the ‘dyarchy’ system at the provincial level and allowed for the emergence of popularly elected provincial legislatures.
• Dyarchy was introduced at the central level, key subjects like defense and foreign affairs were under the direct control of the Governor-General.

Additional Information 

• Other Acts
• Government of India, Act, 1934 is the legislative act under the Reserve Bank of India.
• This act along with the Companies Act, which was amended in 1936, was meant to provide a framework for the supervision of banking firms in India.
• Government of India Act, 1919 was also known as Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.
• It came into force in 1921.
• It was instituted in the British Indian polity to introduce the Diarchy, i.e., rule of two which means executive councilors and popular ministers.
• Dyarchy was introduced as a constitutional reform by Edwin Samuel Montagu, secretary of state for India (1917–22), and Lord Chelmsford, Viceroy of India (1916–21).
• Government of India Act, 1923, the Official Secrets Act 1923 is India's anti-espionage act held over from the British colonial period.
• The Official Secrets Act prohibits the disclosure of official documents and information and the wrongful communication of information that is considered sensitive by the government.

The correct answer is Manipuri.​ 

Key Points

• Darshana Jhaveri, a classical Manipuri dancer, research scholar, and teacher is one of the four internationally renowned Jhaveri sisters, whose name has become synonymous with Manipuri dance.
• The Manipuri Dance, also referred to as the Manipuri Raas Leela is one of the eight major Indian classical dance forms, originating from the state of Manipur.
• It was during the reign of King Bhagyachandra that the popular Rasleela dances of Manipur originated.
• It is said, that this 18^th-century philosopher king conceived this complete dance form along with its unique costume and music in a dream.

Additional Information 

The Sangeet Natak Akademi recognizes eight classical dances in India.

The correct answer is 2017.

Key Points

• Goods and Service Tax(GST) was implemented in India on 1^st July 2017 by then Finance Minister Arun Jaitely.
• Goods and Service Tax(GST):
• ​GST is an indirect tax used in India on the supply of goods and services.
• It is a destination-based tax.
• Goods and services are divided into five different tax slabs for collection of tax- 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%.
• GST Council is the governing body of GST having 33 numbers.
• The council is headed by the union finance minister assisted by the finance minister of all the states of India.

Additional Information 

• The 101^st Constitutional (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016  introduced a national Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India on 1 July 2017.
• The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a Value Added Tax (VAT) intended to establish a systematic indirect tax levy on the production, sale, and use of products and services at the national level.
• CGST, IGST, UTGS, and SGST Compensation Act passed at Loksabha on 29 March 2017.
• The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Second Amendment) Bill, 2014 was introduced on 19 December 2014 by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the Lok Sabha and passed on 6 May 2015 by the House.

The correct answer is 5%

Key Points

• The maximum premium that farmers pay for horticulture crops under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is 5% of the sum insured.
• The PMFBY is a crop insurance scheme that provides financial support to farmers who lose their crops due to natural disasters.
• The premium for horticulture crops is 5% of the sum insured, or the actuarial rate, whichever is lower.
• The premium for Kharif crops is 2% of the sum insured, or the actuarial rate, whichever is lower.
• The premium for Rabi crops is 1.5% of the sum insured, or the actuarial rate, whichever is lower.
• The Central and State Governments share the premium that is above these limits in a 50:50 ratio.
• In the North Eastern Region, the Central and State Governments share the premium in a 90:10 ratio.

Additional Information

• Horticultural crops are plants that are grown for food, medicine, and aesthetics.
• They include fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs, and ornamental plants.
• Examples of horticultural crops 
• Fruits: Apples, bananas, grapes, guava, litchi, and tomatoes
• Vegetables: A variety of vegetables
• Flowers: A variety of flowers, including those used in landscaping
• Ornamental plants: Plants used in landscaping, such as ornamental trees and shrubs
• Grapes: Grown for wine production

The correct answer is Mulk Raj Anand.

Key Points

• Mulk Raj Anand's 'Untouchable' is a novel about a day in the life of one of India's lowest untouchables, sweepers who clean up the excreta left by the poor who do not have access to toilets or even outhouses.
• It narrates the sufferings and humiliations of an 18-year-old boy, Bakha, born in a low-caste and serving as a toilet sweeper.
• At that time, the caste system had been in place for over two thousand years. Society was divided into four tiers of privilege. The highest ranks comprise the wealthy, the intellectuals, and other positions of power.
• The Untouchables were actually even lower than the lowest caste, comprising a fifth class outside of rank, and are seen as filthy, even to the point of being able to pollute upper caste members through their touch.

Additional Information

• Mulk Raj Anand (1905 – 2004) along with R. K. Narayan (1906 – 2001), Ahmad Ali (1910 -1994), and Raja Rao (1908 – 2006) is considered some of the pioneers of Indo-Anglian fiction.
• He was known for his depiction of the lives of the poorer castes in traditional Indian society and was one of the first India-based writers in English to gain an international readership.
• He was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan.

The correct answer is Antonie Van Leeuwenhock.

Key Points

• Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
• He is regarded as the father of microbiology. Hence, Option 2 is correct.
• Anton van Leeuwenhoek laid the foundation of plant anatomy and studied animal reproduction in detail.
• He was a Dutch microscopist and biologist born in Delft, Netherland.
• He is also known for the discovery of bacteria.
• He experimented with and observed microscopic organisms in the year 1676.
• He is probably best known for his refinement of the microscope.
• He increased the magnifying power of the microscope from 20x to 270x.
• He was the first to observe bacteria and protozoa with his single-lensed microscope.
• In 1674, he observed small single-celled organisms and named them 'Animalcules'.
• In 1677, he discovered sperm in mammals.
• He was also the first person to study blood vessels and discovered blood cells and nematodes living in blood.
• The study of microorganisms is known as Microbiology.

Additional Information

The correct answer is  Bharatanatyam

Key Points 

• Tanjore Balasaraswati was a dancer of the Bharatanatyam classical dance form.
• She was a leading exponent of Bharatanatyam in the 20^th century
• Bharatanatyam a classical dance style that originated in Tamil Nadu's South Indian state, making this dance style well known in various parts of India and many parts of the world.
• In 1957 she was awarded the Padma Bhushan and in 1977 the Padma Vibhushan.
• She received the Sangeetha Kalasikhamani Award from The Indian Fine Arts Society, Chennai, in 1981.
• She was the only non-western dancer included in a Dance Heritage Coalition compilation, "The Irreplaceable Treasures of Dance in America: The First 100" (2000).
• Satyajit Ray, Bengali film director, made a documentary film on Balasaraswati called Bala (1976).

Additional Information

The correct answer is Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean 

Key Points

• Tropical cyclones predominantly originate over warm oceanic waters in the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean, especially when sea surface temperatures exceed a certain threshold, typically around 26.5°C.
• It also known as hurricanes or typhoons depending on the region, originate over warm ocean waters in specific conditions
• Tropical cyclones originate over warm ocean basins in the lower latitudes of all oceans except the south Atlantic and southeast Pacific.

Additional Information

• Bay of Bengal:
• One of the most active regions for tropical cyclones due to its warm sea surface temperatures, high humidity, and favorable atmospheric conditions.
• Cyclones like Cyclone Amphan, Fani, and Yas originate here.
• Arabian Sea:
• Also a significant region for tropical cyclones, though relatively less active compared to the Bay of Bengal.
• Notable cyclones like Ockhi and Mekunu originate here.
• Indian Ocean:
• Includes both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. It serves as a primary breeding ground for cyclones that later affect India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and other surrounding regions.

The correct answer is 1877, Worple Road Site, Wimbledon

Key Points

• The first Wimbledon Championship was held in 1877.
• It is the oldest tennis tournament in the world.
• It was held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, it is played on the outer grass-court till 1877.
• Since 2009, it plays roof over centre court.
• Wimbledon is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other being the US Open, Australian Open and the French Open.
• The first Wimbledon Championship player Spencer Gore, an old Harrovian racket player, won from field 22.

Additional Information