General Awareness PYQs

The correct answer is 2016

Key Points

• The pilot project for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was launched on April 11, 2016 in Mumbai.
• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) operated the pilot project.
• UPI is a system that allows users to make payments using multiple bank accounts through a mobile app.
• It combines several banking features, fund routing, and merchant payments into one platform.

Additional Information

• UPI is an advanced version of the Immediate Payment Service (IMPS).
• UPI allows users to make peer-to-peer requests, which can be scheduled and paid as needed.
• Banks began uploading their UPI-enabled apps to the Google Play store on August 25, 2016.
• In March 2022, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched UPI123Pay, a UPI payment facility for feature phones.
• Participants in UPI
• Payer PSP (Payment service Provider)
• Payee PSP
• Remitter Bank
• Beneficiary Bank
• NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India)
• Bank Account holders
• Merchant

The correct answer is They have the largest atomic size in their period.

Key Points

• The incorrect statement regarding the halogens group is "They have the largest atomic size in their period".
• Halogens are located on the right side of the periodic table compared to other elements in their period,
• It means they have smaller atomic sizes than other elements in the same period.
• In their elemental state**, halogens exist as diatomic molecules like F2, Cl2, Br2, and I2.**

Additional Information

• The Halogens are the elements belonging to Group 17 in the periodic table.
• A periodic table is an arrangement of elements based on their atomic numbers and chemical properties.
• It is divided into 18 groups and 7 periods running vertically and horizontally respectively.
• The periodic table accommodates a discrete combination of metal, non-metals, and metalloids.
• The elements in the periodic table are arranged horizontally in ascending order of their atomic numbers known as periods.
• Vertically the elements having identical chemical properties are clubbed together known as groups.
• The 18 groups are also known as columns and the 7 periods are also known as the rows.

The correct answer is the Chandela Dynasty

Key Points

• Khajuraho was an ancient city in Madhya Pradesh.
• It was the capital of the Chandelas from the 10^th to 12^th century.
• The majority of temples at Khajuraho are either Hindu (Saiva or Vaisnava) or Jain.
• Khajuraho is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
• The temples at Khajuraho are famous for their erotic sculptures.
• They were built during the reign of the Chandela dynasty.​

Additional Information

• Pratihara Dynasty​
• The Gurjara-Pratihara (Pratihara) was a dynasty that ruled much of Northern India from the mid-8^th to the 11^th century.
• They ruled first at Ujjain and later at Kannauj.
• The Gurjara Pratihara dynasty was founded by Harichandra.
• Nagabhata I was the first prominent ruler of Pratiharas.
• Mihira Bhoja was one of the most important rulers of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty.
• Pala Dynasty
• The Pala Dynasty is known for its contributions to the art, culture, and architecture of Bengal and Bihar regions.
• The dynasty's name "Pala" means "protector" and was used as a suffix to the names of all Pala monarchs.
• Dharmapala, one of the most prominent rulers of the Pala Dynasty, was instrumental in establishing the Pala influence over northern India.
• The Pala period is often regarded as a high point in the history of Bengal and Bihar, marked by prosperity and cultural flourishing.
• The Pala rulers were also known for their military prowess and diplomatic relations with other regional powers.
• Kalachuri Dynasty​
• The Kalchuri dynasty was formed by Kokalla(1^st) in 845 AD ruled in the (7^th-13^th) century in the central region.
• He made Tripuri as its capital. At present, it is located in the Jabalpur district.
• He defeated the ruler of the Pratihara Dynasty Bhoj. They are also known as the Kalchuri of Chedi.
• The Kalchuri dynasty was the contemporary of Gurjara-Pratihara, Rashtrakuta, and the Chalukyas of Kalyani.
• This dynasty reached its zenith under the ruler Lakshmikarna.

The correct answer is the National Commission for Minorities

Key Points

• The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) is not a constitutional body, but rather a statutory body.
• The NCM was established by the National Commission for Minorities Act of 1992.
• The NCM's functions include: 
• Monitoring the safeguards for minorities in the Constitution and in laws
• Ensuring that the Prime Minister's 15-Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities is implemented
• Evaluating the development of minorities in the Union and States

Additional Information

• Comptroller and Auditor General of India 
• The CAG is responsible for auditing the accounts of the government of India.
• The current CAG is K**. Sanjay Murthy**.
• Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities
• Also known as the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities (CLM), this officer investigates issues related to linguistic minorities in India.
• The CLM is appointed by the President of India.
• The CLM reports to the President, who then shares the reports with Parliament and the state governments.
• Attorney General of India 
• ​The Attorney General of India (AGI) is the country's chief law officer.
• The AGI advises the Union government on legal issues referred by the President.
• The AGI is the government's main lawyer in the Supreme Court of India.​

The correct answer is Pennatula

Key Points

• The scientific name of the sea pen that belongs to the phylum Cnidaria is Pennatula.
• Pennatula is a genus of sea pens that includes the phosphorescent sea pen (Pennatula phosphorea).
• Pennatula is also known as the sea feather.
• It has a stalk, a "rachis", and appendages with branches, which gives it a feather-like appearance.
• Pennatula is a member of the phylum Cnidaria, which also includes corals.
• Pennatula can be bioluminescent, and some species include Pennatula rubra, Pennatula phosphorea, and Pennatula aculeata.

Additional Information

• Gorgonia
• A genus of soft corals that are also known as sea fans.
• For example, Gorgonia mariae is a species of sea fan that lives in the Caribbean Sea and the tropical western Atlantic Ocean.
• Obelia
• A genus of invertebrate marine animals that are part of the Hydrozoa class.
• Obelia has two forms in its life cycle: polyp and medusa.
• The polyp form is attached to a solid surface or the ocean bottom and resembles a small sea anemone.
• Adamsia
• A genus of sea anemones that are part of the Cnidaria phylum.
• Adamsia is also known as the sea anemone.

The correct answer is Shashi Tharoor.

Key Points

• The Great Indian Novel is a satirical novel by Shashi Tharoor.
• It is first published by Viking Press in 1989.
• It is a fictional work that takes the story of the Mahabharata, the Indian epic.
• Figures from Indian history are transformed into characters from mythology, and the mythical story of India is retold as a history of Indian independence.
• The work includes numerous puns and allusions to famous works about India.
• The phrase "great Indian novel" is an allusion to the long-standing idea of the "Great American Novel".

Additional Information

• Shashi Tharoor is an Indian former international diplomat, politician, writer and public intellectual.
• He has been serving as a Member of Parliament for Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, since 2009.
• He was formerly Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and ran for the post of Secretary-General in 2006.
• He also serves as Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology and All India Professionals Congress.
• He formerly served as Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs.

The correct answer is Jagannath.

Key Points

• The Rath Yatra or Car Festival is a famous festival celebrated in Puri, Odisha, and is associated with Lord Jagannath.
• The festival involves the procession of Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, in chariots or raths.
• The chariots are pulled by devotees, and the procession moves from the Jagannath temple to the Gundicha temple, where the deities stay for nine days before returning to the Jagannath temple.
• The Rath Yatra is an important festival for devotees of Lord Jagannath, and it is believed that pulling the chariots during the festival is a way to attain moksha or liberation.

Additional Information

• Lord Shiva is worshipped in Puri.
• There is a famous temple dedicated to him called the Lokanath temple.
• Kartikeya
• ​Kartikeya is the Hindu god of war and victory.
• He is also known by the names Skanda, Kumara, Shanmukha, and Murugan.
• Ganesh 
• ​Ganesha also spelled Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Lambodara,
• He is one of the best-known and most worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon

The correct answer is In 1989.

Key Points

• The voting age was reduced to 18 from 21 years in the year 1989.
• In India, the voting age has been reduced from 21 years to 18 years by the 61^st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1988.
• It comes into force by amending Article 326.
• It concerns elections to the Lok Sabha and the Assemblies.

Additional Information 

• The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 15^th December 1988.
• The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 20^th December 1988.
• The bill was assented by President Venkaraman on 28^th March 1989.
• The bill came into force on 28^th March 1989.
• The Prime Minister who reduced the voting age from 21 to 18 years - Rajiv Gandhi.
• The first general elections to the Lok Sabha were held in India - Between 25^th October 1951 and 21^st February 1952.

The correct answer is Ribosome.

Key Points

• Living organisms are made up of several cells.
• Cells are the basic functional unit of a body that is capable of independent reproduction.
• A cell can be either a prokaryotic cell or a eukaryotic cell.
• Prokaryotic cell lacks well-defined nuclear membrane-bound nucleus and organelles.
• A bacterial cell is a prokaryotic cell.
• A eukaryotic cell has a well-defined nucleus and membrane-bound cell organelles.
• Humans have eukaryotic cells.
• Thus Ribosome is found both in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
• Cell organelles are sub-cellular structures that have characteristic morphological forms and specific functions.
• Mitochondria, ribosomes, plastids, ER, Golgi body, etc. are some examples of cell organelles.

Additional Information

• Nucleus 
• ​The nucleus is a prominent organelle in a cell.
• It is surrounded by a double-layered membrane called the nuclear envelope.
• The nuclear envelope separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm.
• The nucleus contains chromosomes, which are made up of DNA.
• The nucleus is filled with a semi-solid substance called nucleoplasm.
• Cell organelle
• ​A cell organelle is a subcellular structure that performs a specific function in a cell.
• Organelles are similar to organs in the body.
• Cell membrane
• ​The cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane, is a semipermeable barrier that separates the inside of a cell from its outside environment.
• It's made of a lipid bilayer, which is a double layer of phospholipids.
• The cell membrane is responsible for regulating what enters and exits the cell.

The correct answer is John Newlands

Key Points

• In 1866, John Newlands, an English scientist, arranged the then-known elements in order of increasing atomic mass.
• He started with the element with the lowest atomic mass (hydrogen) and ended with Thorium which was the 56^th element.
• He found that every eighth element has the same properties as the first. He compared it to the octave found in music.
• That's why he called it the 'law of octaves.
• This is known as 'Newlands' Law of Octaves'.
• The properties of lithium and sodium were found to be similar in Newlands' octave.

Additional Information

• It was assumed by Newlands that only 56 elements existed in nature and no more elements would be discovered in the future.
• But, later on, several new elements were discovered, whose properties did not fit into the Law of Octaves.
• In 1869, just five years after John Newlands put forward his Law of Octaves, a Russian chemist called Dmitri Mendeleev published a periodic table.
• Mendeleev also arranged the elements known at the time in order of relative atomic mass, but he did some other things that made his table much more successful.
• Marie Curie is best remembered for discovering radium and polonium, and for her huge contribution to finding treatments for cancer.
• In 1829, Johann Döbereiner grouped the elements with similar chemical properties into clusters of three called 'Triads'.
• Döbereiner invented the first lighter, which was known as the Döbereiner's lamp.

The correct answer is Boron

Key Points

• Boron (B) is the first element in group 13 of the periodic table.
• Group 13 is also known as the Boron family.
• The boron family is named after boron because it is the first element in the group.
• Boron is generally unreactive with many elements, but it can form compounds with hydrogen, called boranes.
• Boron can be used to make sodium perborate, a bleach alternative.​

Additional Information

• Aluminum
• The third most abundant element in the Earth's crust.
• It's resistant to corrosion and is recyclable.
• Gallium
• It Has an atomic number of 31 and a boiling point of 2,400C
• It's used in semiconductors, transistors, LEDs, thermometers, and mirrors.
• Indium
• It Has an atomic number of 49.
• It can adopt a +1 or +3 oxidation state, but the +3 state is more common.

The correct answer is Micas, chlorite, talc, and serpentine

Key Points

• Phyllosilicates are sheet silicates, meaning their crystal structure is made up of stacked silicate layers.
• They exhibit perfect cleavage along these layers due to weak van der Waals forces.
• Micas (e.g., Muscovite, Biotite) – Common phyllosilicates with excellent basal cleavage.
• Chlorite – A group of phyllosilicates with similar properties to micas.
• Talc – The softest mineral on the Mohs scale, used in talcum powder.
• Serpentine – Includes minerals like chrysotile (a form of asbestos).

Additional Information

• Pyrite, galena, and sphalerite are important minerals, each with distinct compositions and uses:
• Pyrite (FeS₂) –
• Also known as "fool's gold" due to its metallic luster and pale brass-yellow color, pyrite is an iron sulfide mineral.
• Galena (PbS) –
• The primary ore of lead, galena has a high density, metallic luster, and a lead-gray color.
• Sphalerite (ZnS) –
• The most important ore of zinc, sphalerite occurs in various colors, including brown, yellow, red, and black, depending on the presence of impurities like iron.
• Mercury (Hg)
• It is a metal but exists in liquid form at room temperature.
• It is a good conductor of electricity.
• It is highly dense and toxic in nature.
• Used in thermometers, barometers, and electrical switches.
• Graphite
• It is a form of carbon (an allotrope).
• It has a layered structure, making it soft and slippery.
• It is a good conductor of electricity due to free-moving electrons.
• Used in pencil leads, lubricants, and batteries.
• Diamond
• Another allotrope of carbon, but with a different structure.
• It is the hardest natural substance.
• It does not conduct electricity, unlike graphite.
• Used in jewelry, cutting tools, and industrial applications.

The correct answer is Raja Bhimdev I

Key Points

• The Sun Temple at Modhera was built by King Bhimdev I of the Solanki dynasty in 1026 AD.
• The temple is located in the village of Modhera, in the Mehsana district of Gujarat, India.
• The Solanki dynasty were descendants of the Sun and built the temple to honor Suryadeva, the Hindu sun god.
• The temple is considered a remarkable example of Gujarat's rich architectural and cultural heritage.
• The temple is located on the banks of the Pushpavati river, about 100 kilometers north of Ahmedabad.
• The temple is considered an endangered monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Additional Information

The correct answer is In 1927, to recommend a further reform of India’s Constitution 

Key Points

• The Simon Commission was appointed by the British government in 1927 to assess the working of the Government of India Act, 1919, and suggest further constitutional reforms for India.
• However, it faced strong opposition because it did not include any Indian members.
• The Simon commission or the Indian Statutory Commission arrived in India in 1928 to study constitutional reform.
• The Simon commission was headed by Sir John Simon with 7 Englishmen as its members.
• In 1927, Viceroy Lord Irwin called Mahatma Gandhi to Delhi and informed him that a report was being prepared to bring statutory reforms in India.
• As per the Government of India Act 1919, it was decided that after 10 years from 1919 a Commission will be set which will study the working of this act and will see the progress of this act.

Additional Information

• Government of India Act 1919 said that the participation of Indians in the British Parliament will increase.
• This commission was supposed to be appointed in 1929 but was appointed in 1928 itself and since there were no Indian members in it, Indians saw this as an insult as they thought that some Britishers cannot determine their destiny so this Commission was boycotted.
• Thus the Simon Commission was appointed to see the Indian constitutional reforms.

The correct answer is Both statements are correct

Key Points

• Statement 1: The Peninsular region of India does not have any well-defined cold weather season.
• ✅This statement is  Correct
• The Peninsular region of India (which includes states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra) is surrounded by large water bodies like the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean.
• This surrounding water moderates the climate, preventing extreme temperature variations.
• As a result, winters are not severe, and there is no well-defined cold season like in North India, where temperatures drop significantly in winter.
• In contrast, regions like Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh experience distinct winter months (December–February) due to cold winds from the Himalayas.
• Statement 2: By the end of December (that is, by 22 December), the Sun shines vertically over the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere.
• ✅This statement is Correct
• December 21 or 22 marks the Winter Solstice, which is the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest day in the Southern Hemisphere.
• On this date, the Sun is directly overhead at noon over the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° South latitude).
• This happens because of the tilt of Earth's axis (23.5°) and its revolution around the Sun.
• As a result:
• The Southern Hemisphere experiences summer, and countries like Australia, South Africa, and Argentina have their hottest months.
• The Northern Hemisphere experiences winter, with shorter daylight hours and colder temperatures.

The correct answer is Planning

Key Points

• Planning was the key factor that promoted overall economic growth by stimulating the industrial and tertiary sectors.
• After independence, India adopted a planned economic approach, mainly through the Five-Year Plans initiated in 1951.
• These plans focused on systematic development across all sectors, including agriculture, industry, and services (tertiary sector).
• Planning directly contributed to industrial growth through:
• Public Sector Enterprises (PSUs): Heavy industries like steel, coal, and petroleum were set up under government control.
• Infrastructure Development: Dams, power plants, and transport networks were developed to support industries.
• Industrial Policies: The Industrial Policy of 1956 encouraged the growth of core industries and limited private sector participation.
• Small and Cottage Industries: Special support was given to small-scale industries to boost employment and production.

Additional Information

• The tertiary sector (services sector) also expanded due to planning:
• Banking & Finance: Nationalization of banks (1969) improved credit availability for industries.
• Transport & Communication: Roads, railways, and telecommunication networks were expanded.
• Education & Healthcare: Planned investments led to better literacy rates and healthcare, improving the workforce quality.
• Trade & Commerce: Economic planning led to urbanization, increasing demand for retail, tourism, and IT services.

The correct answer is Non-tax revenues

Key Points

• Non-tax revenues, such as income from public sector enterprises, fines, or licenses, are typically considered as revenue sources, but they are not usually a primary method for financing government deficits.
• A government deficit occurs when a government spends more money than it receives in revenue.
• This deficit can indicate how well a country's economy is doing financially.
• Types of government deficits
• Budget deficit: The total amount by which a government's spending exceeds its revenue in a given year
• Revenue deficit: When a government spends more on revenue than it receives in revenue
• Primary deficit: The difference between a government's total expenses and its total revenue, excluding interest payments ​

Additional Information

• Higher taxation:
• When the government increases taxes, it boosts its revenue.
• This can help reduce or eliminate a deficit, but it's more of a preventive measure (increasing revenue) than a method of financing an existing deficit.
• Borrowings from domestic and international sources:
• This is a direct method of financing deficits.
• Governments often issue bonds, borrow from international institutions like the World Bank or IMF, or obtain loans from domestic banks to raise funds and cover deficits.
• Deficit financing:
• This involves the government borrowing from its central bank or printing money to cover the deficit.
• This increases the money supply and can lead to inflation if done excessively.
• It's a common method for financing deficits, especially in situations where borrowing from external sources is not viable.

The correct answer is Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam

Key Points

• Yamini Krishnamurthy was a classical Indian dancer who performed Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi
• Yamini Krishnamurthy was a prominent dancer in India for decades.
• She was born in Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh on December 20, 1940 and died in New Delhi on August 3, 2024.
• She was a recipient of the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan awards.
• She also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1977

Additional Information

The correct answer is Centrioles

Key Points

• Centrioles are involved in cell division and organizing microtubules but are not classified as cytoskeletal filaments.
• Centrioles are small organelles involved in cell division
• A cytoskeleton is found in the cytoplasm as a network of protein filaments.
• Centrioles are composed of nine triplets of microtubules arranged in a circular pattern.
• During cell division, they duplicate to form two centrioles, which move to opposite poles of the cell, assisting in the formation of the spindle fibers that help in chromosome segregation.

Additional Information

• There are three types of cytoskeletons found in the cytoplasm- microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments.
• They are found only in eukaryotic cells.
• Cytoskeleton provides mechanical support to the cell and helps maintain the shape of the cell.
• They are important for cell division and movements inside the cell.
• They also function in supporting the cell organelle and allow cell motility.

The correct answer is The Untouchables

Key Points

• The Untouchables was not written by Jyotiba Phule.
• Jyotiba Phule wrote Gulamgiri, Shetkaryacha Asud, and other books.
• Jyotirao Govindrao Phule (1827-1890) was a social reformer and writer from Maharashtra, India.
• He was a leader of the non-Brahmin movement and fought against caste restrictions.
• He also worked for women's education and the rights of low-caste people.

Additional Information

• The Untouchables
• This refers to the group of people historically known as "Dalits" or "untouchables" in the caste system of India.
• The term was used by social reformers to describe those outside the traditional four-fold caste system.
• Gulamgiri
• "Gulamgiri" (translated as "Slavery") is a famous book written by Jyotirao Phule in 1873.
• In this work, Phule critiques the social structure of caste discrimination and exposes the exploitation of the lower castes by the higher castes and the Brahminical system.
• Shetkaryacha Asud
• "Shetkaryacha Asud" (translated as "The Farmer’s Whipcord") is a Marathi book written by Narayan Meghaji Lokhande.
• The book is a call to action for the rights and betterment of farmers, focusing on their struggles and exploitation.
• Brahmananche Kasab
• "Brahmananche Kasab" (translated as "The Brahmin's Slave") is another work by Jyotirao Phule.
• It critiques the upper caste Brahmins who held power and perpetuated the social and economic exploitation of lower castes.