General Awareness PYQs

The Correct Answer Kuchipudi.

Key Points

• Kuchipudi
• Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam is celebrated for his contributions to Kuchipudi, a classical dance form from Andhra Pradesh, India.
• He played a pivotal role in popularizing Kuchipudi on the global stage, transforming it from a dance-drama tradition to a solo performance art.
• Under his guidance, hundreds of students have mastered the art of Kuchipudi, thereby ensuring the continuity and growth of this dance form.
• His efforts earned him the prestigious Padma Bhushan award, recognizing his significant contributions to the field of Indian classical dance.

Additional Information

The Correct Answer isPernicious anaemia.

Key Points

• Pernicious anemia is a condition in which the body can't make enough healthy red blood cells because it lacks vitamin B12.
• The immune system mistakenly attacks the stomach cells that produce intrinsic factor, a protein necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12.
• Without intrinsic factor, vitamin B12 can't be absorbed and utilized by the body, leading to a deficiency.
• This autoimmune response primarily affects the gastric mucosa, where the intrinsic factor is produced.

Additional Information 

The Correct Answer is original jurisdiction.

Key Points

• Article-131: Original Jurisdiction
• The SC (as a federal court of India) possesses Original jurisdiction to decide the disputes arising between different units of the Indian Federation like:
• Centre and one or more states; or
• Centre & any state(s) on one side and one or more states on the other; or
• Two or more states.

Additional Information

• Advisory Jurisdiction - 
• The Constitution under Article 143 authorises the President to seek the opinion of the Supreme Court in the two categories of matters:
• On any question of law or fact of public importance which has arisen or which is likely to arise.
• On any dispute arising out of any pre-constitution treaty, agreement, covenant, engagement, sanador other similar instruments.​
• Appellate Jurisdiction - 
• ​​The Supreme Court is primarily a court of appeal and hears appeals against the judgements of the lower courts. It enjoys a wide appellate jurisdiction which can be classified under four heads:

1. Appeals in constitutional matters
2. Appeals in civil matters
3. Appeals in criminal matters
4. Appeals by special leave​

• Writ Jurisdiction - 
• The Supreme Court is empowered to issue writs, including habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo-warranto and certiorari for the enforcement of the fundamental rights of an aggrieved citizen.
• In this regard, the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in the sense that an aggrieved citizen can go directly to the Supreme Court, not necessarily by way of appeal.
• However, the writ jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is not exclusive. The High Courts are also empowered to issue writs for the enforcement of the Fundamental Rights.​

The correct answer is Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand

Key Points

• The states of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand have the highest percentage of the population below the poverty line, according to the Planning Commission of India (2011-2012).
• This is due to a combination of factors, including lack of access to education and employment opportunities, as well as high levels of corruption and inequality.
• In 2011-12, approximately 39.9% of the population in Chhattisgarh lived below the poverty line.
• Jharkhand also faces significant poverty, with a rate of 36.96% in 2011-12

Additional Information

• Poverty estimates for 2011-12 by  Planning Commission:-
• For 2011-12, for rural areas, the national poverty line using the Tendulkar methodology is estimated at Rs. 816 per capita per month and Rs. 1,000 per capita per month in urban areas.
• The percentage of persons below the Poverty Line in 2011-12 has been estimated as 25.7% in rural areas, 13.7% in urban areas, and 21.9% for the country as a whole.
• In 2011-12, India had 270 million persons below the Tendulkar Poverty Line as compared to 407 million in 2004-05, which is a reduction of 137 million persons over the seven-year period.

The Correct Answer is Eicosane.

Key Points

• Eicosane, a hydrocarbon with the formula C₂₀H₄₂, is an unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon.
• It is widely used in the production of candles and paraffin wax due to its excellent properties for solidification and energy storage.
• Its molecular structure, consisting of 20 carbon atoms, makes it suitable for solar energy storage applications, where it can absorb, store, and release solar energy.
• The use of eicosane in these applications is because of its phase change properties, which are highly efficient for thermal energy storage.

Additional Information 

The correct answer is Genetic

Key Points

• The Genetic industry is involved in the               reproduction and multiplication of plant and animal species for commercial purposes.
• It plays a crucial role in biotechnology and agriculture, focusing on genetic modification and selective breeding.
• These industries produce genetically modified crops, livestock, and other organisms that offer higher yields and are sometimes resistant to pests and diseases.
• They contribute significantly to food security, medical research, and environmental sustainability.
• The industry's practices include cloning, gene editing, and the use of recombinant DNA technology.

Additional Information

The Correct Answer is Land Revenue.

Key Points 

• The Vijayanagar Empire, one of the most prosperous empires in the history of South India, heavily relied on agriculture, making land revenue its primary source of income.
• Due to its fertile lands and well-developed irrigation systems, the empire was able to produce an abundance of crops, which contributed significantly to its economy.
• The administrative system of the Vijayanagar Empire was highly efficient in collecting taxes and revenues from the land, which were then used for the empire's development and expansion.
• Apart from land revenue, the Vijayanagar Empire also earned income through trade, but land revenue remained the cornerstone of its economic strength.

Additional Information 

The Correct Answer isMajor Dhyanchand.

Key Points 

• 'Goal' is the autobiography of Major Dhyan Chand, a legendary figure in Indian and world hockey.
• Major Dhyan Chand is often referred to as the "Wizard of Hockey" for his extraordinary goal-scoring feats.
• He led India to three Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936.
• His autobiography, 'Goal', details his life, his passion for hockey, and the journey of Indian hockey during his playing days.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Increase

Key Points

• When the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decides to decrease the repo rate, it reduces the cost at which banks can borrow money from it.
• This reduction in borrowing costs is intended to encourage banks to lend more to businesses and consumers.
• As banks increase lending, the overall money supply in the economy increases, which can help stimulate economic growth.
• An increase in money supply typically leads to lower interest rates, making loans cheaper for borrowers.
• This policy action can be used by the RBI as a tool to combat economic slowdowns by encouraging spending and investment.

Additional Information

The Correct answer is January 1, 1949.

Key Points 

• The Reserve Bank of India was nationalised on Sat Jan 01 1949.
• This move was part of India's efforts to control the economy post-independence.
• Prior to its nationalisation, the RBI was privately owned.
• The nationalisation of the RBI marked a significant step in the development of India's financial sector.

Additional Information 

The Correct Answer is Stratosphere.

Key Points 

• The ozone layer is primarily located in the lower portion of the stratosphere, from approximately 20 to 30 kilometers above Earth, although its thickness varies seasonally and geographically.
• Ozone molecules absorb ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun, particularly harmful UVB-type rays, thus protecting living organisms on Earth from these dangerous rays.
• The presence of the ozone layer is crucial for life on Earth as it prevents most of the Sun's high-frequency ultraviolet radiation from reaching the planet's surface.
• Human activities have caused ozone depletion, particularly by releasing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) into the atmosphere, leading to the creation of the ozone hole over Antarctica.

Additional Information 

The correct anser is option 3.

Key Points

• Gir National Park 
• Indian Lions or Asiatic lion is one of the five big cat species, found in India,
• A single population exists in the Gir National Park of Gujarat state.
• The scientific name of the Asiatic lion is Panthera Leo Persica.
• It is listed as endangered species under the red list in the IUCN list.
• Rajaji National National Park, most famous for its elephant population.
• Located at the Himalayan foothills, near Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun, with Ganga and Song rivers, flowing through it.
• In 1983, three sanctuaries in Uttarakhand - Rajaji, Motichur and Chilla - were amalgamated into a large protected area and named Rajaji National Park.
• This area is the north-western limit of Asian elephants.
• Keoladeo National Park
• It is located in the Bharatpur district of Rajasthan. It is formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.
• This site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
• Kaziranga National Park
• It is located in Assam.
• It is famous for one-horned Rhinoceros.
• It is located in Golaghat and Nagaon, in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam in northeast India.

Additional Information

• National Park:
• There are 106 National parks in India.
• First national park in India- **Ramganga National Park (**Jim Corbett National Park or Hailey National Park).
• No human activity/rights allowed except for the ones permitted by the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State.

The Correct answer is 21.8%

Key Points

• Chandigarh's Poverty Rate according to the Planning Commission of India (2011-12) was 21.81%.
• This percentage reflects the portion of the population living below the poverty line, which is a measure of economic disparity.
• The Planning Commission, now replaced by the NITI Aayog, played a crucial role in assessing and reporting poverty levels across India.
• Chandigarh, being a union territory and a city, has a relatively lower poverty rate compared to some states, indicating a higher standard of living and better economic conditions.

Additional Information

The Correct Answer isMahavamsa.

Key Points 

• The Mahavamsa is an important Ceylonese (Sri Lankan) chronicle written in Pali.
• It provides a continuous historical record of over two millennia.
• It is a key source for the understanding of the history of not only Sri Lanka but also the Indian subcontinent, especially during the Mauryan empire.
• The chronicle covers the early history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and the interactions between the rulers of Sri Lanka and the Mauryan Empire.
• It is considered one of the world's longest-unbroken historical accounts and has been crucial in constructing the history of the region.

Additional Information 

The correct answer is Lata Mangeshkar.

Key Points

• Lata Mangeshkar 
• Lata Mangeshkar was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2001, India's highest civilian award, for her contributions to Indian music.
• She is one of the best-known and most respected playback singers in India and has recorded songs in over a thousand Hindi films.
• Lata Mangeshkar's career spanned over seven decades, during which she sang in more than thirty-six Indian languages and foreign languages.
• Her voice has been described as the "Nightingale of India," and her songs have touched millions of hearts both in India and abroad.

Additional Information

The Correct answer is International Olympic Committee

Key Points

• The Indian Olympic Association is officially affiliated to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
• The IOC is responsible for the organization and oversight of the Olympic Games.
• The IOC works with National Olympic Committees, International Sports Federations, and other organizations to promote Olympism worldwide.
• Being affiliated with the IOC allows the Indian Olympic Association to participate in the Olympic Games and have access to various programs and support from the IOC.

Additional Information

The Correct answer is Detritus Food Chain

Key Points

• DFC stands for Detritus Food Chain.
• It is a process that recycles nutrients back into the ecosystem.
• Detritivores, such as earthworms and fungi, play a crucial role in this chain.
• This food chain is essential for the decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling.
• It contrasts with the grazing food chain, which starts from living plants.

Additional Information

The Correct answer is Edwin Lutyens

Key Points

• Edwin Lutyens was the architect behind the design of  the India Gate.
• India Gate is a war memorial located along the Rajpath in New Delhi, India.
• It was built in memory of the soldiers who died in World War I and the Afghan Wars.
• The foundation stone of India Gate was laid on 10^th February 1921, and it was unveiled in 1931.
• Lutyens' design of the India Gate also drew inspiration from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Additional Information 

The Correct answer is 3

Key Points

• During the Second Five Year Plan, three integrated steel plants were set up with foreign collaboration.
• The countries involved were the Soviet Union, West Germany, and the United Kingdom These steel plants were established in Bhilai, Durgapur, and Rourkela.
• The primary goal was to boost the industrial development and steel production capacity of India.
• These plants significantly contributed to the industrial infrastructure and self-reliance in steel production.

Additional Information

The correct answer is cell wall.

Key Points

• Cell walls
• Cell walls are found exclusively in plant cells, providing them with structural support and protection.
• Cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin are the main components of plant cell walls, providing them strength and flexibility.
• The ratio of 4 ∶ 3 ∶ 3 of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin reflects the chemical composition of the cell wall.
• Fatty substances such as waxes are used to provide water repellent properties to the cell wall.

Additional Information