General Awareness PYQs

The Correct Answer is Plia.

Key Points

• The correct answer is option 4 (Pila), which is not a member of the Arthropoda phylum.
• Arthropoda is the largest phylum in the animal kingdom which includes creatures like locusts, butterflies, and prawns.
• Pila belongs to the phylum Mollusca, not Arthropoda. It is a genus of air-breathing freshwater snails.
• Members of the Arthropoda phylum are characterized by their jointed limbs and chitinous exoskeleton which is periodically shed or molted.
• Arthropods play crucial roles in ecosystems and human economy, serving as pollinators, decomposers, and a source of food.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Literature and education.

Key Points

• Shri SL Bhyrappa was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2023.
• The award was given for his distinguished service of high order in the field of Literature and Education.
• Padma Bhushan is the third-highest civilian award in India.
• It recognises distinguished service of a high order to the nation, in any field.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam.

Key Points

• Sree Narayana Guru was a social reformer and spiritual leader who played a significant role in changing the social structure of Kerala in the early 20^th century.
• He founded the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP Yogam) to promote spiritual enlightenment and social equality.
• His philosophy of 'One Caste, One Religion, and One God for all' aimed at eliminating the caste system and promoting a universal religion.
• Through his efforts, he contributed to the opening of temples for all castes, education for everyone, and fought against caste discrimination.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Baji Rao II.

Key Points

• Baji Rao II 
• The Treaty of Bassein was signed on 31^st December 1802 between Baji Rao II, the Peshwa of the Maratha Empire, and the British East India Company.
• This treaty marked the beginning of the end for the Maratha Empire as it allowed the British to station their troops within Maratha territory.
• One significant outcome of the treaty was that it led to the Second Anglo-Maratha War, as it angered other Maratha chiefs who saw it as a surrender of sovereignty.
• Baji Rao II was forced to sign this treaty after being defeated by the Holkar ruler, which made him seek support from the British to regain his authority.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Na.

Key Points

• Alkaline earth metals belong to Group 2 of the periodic table, which includes elements with two electrons in their outermost shell.
• Na (Sodium) is not an alkaline earth metal; instead, it is an alkali metal, which belongs to Group 1 of the periodic table.
• Mg (Magnesium), Ca (Calcium), and Be (Beryllium) are all part of Group 2, making them alkaline earth metals.
• Alkaline earth metals are known for their reactivity, though not as reactive as alkali metals, and they form basic (alkaline) compounds when they react with water.

Additional Information

Important Points

The correct answer is Sunderbans.

Key Points

• Sunderbans is the correct name for the mangrove forests of West Bengal.
• It is one of the largest mangrove forests in the world.
• The Sunderbans are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for their unique biodiversity.
• They are home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, among many other species of flora and fauna.
• This region plays a crucial role in protecting the hinterlands from cyclones and tsunamis.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Aquaporins.

Key Points

• Aquaporins are integral membrane proteins that serve as channels in the transfer of water, and in some cases, small solutes and ions across the cell membrane.
• They are critical for the rapid transport of water across the cell membrane in response to osmotic gradients.
• Aquaporins are found in all forms of life, including bacteria, plants, and mammals, highlighting their fundamental role in cellular function.
• There are several types of aquaporins in mammals, each with a specific tissue distribution and function, reflecting the diverse physiological roles of these proteins.
• The discovery of aquaporins was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2003, underscoring their importance in biology and medicine.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Bhisham Sahni.

Key Points

• The author of the novel 'Tamas' is Bhisham Sahni.
• 'Tamas' is a significant work in Hindi literature, dealing with the partition of India in 1947.
• The novel portrays the communal violence that erupted in the wake of partition, based on a true story from Sahni's own experiences.
• Bhisham Sahni was not only a prolific writer but also a playwright, actor, and translator, contributing greatly to Hindi literature and theatre.
• 'Tamas' has been adapted into a television film by the same name, directed by Govind Nihalani.

Additional Information

The correct answer is snake worshipping.

Key Points

• Gugga Naumi is celebrated as the festival of snake-worshiping.
• This festival is observed in honour of Gugga Pir or Gugga Jahar Peer, who is considered a saint in Hindu and Sikh traditions.
• It is celebrated in the month of Bhadrapada (August-September) according to the Hindu calendar.
• The festival involves singing hymns, offering prayers, and distributing prasad among community members.
• Devotees also paint snakes on the walls of their homes as a part of the celebrations.

Additional Information

The correct answer is 2021.

Key Points

• The tableau of the Union Territory, Ladakh, was displayed for the first time at Rajpath in New Delhi in 2021.
• This was a significant event as it marked Ladakh's presence in the Republic Day parade following its formation as a Union Territory in 2019.
• The tableau highlighted Ladakh's rich cultural heritage and its commitment to renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy.
• Featuring iconic landmarks and themes, it aimed to showcase the unique identity and potential of Ladakh to a national audience.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Ravi Subramanian.

Key Points

• Ravi Subramanian
• Ravi Subramanian, an Indian author, wrote 'If God Was A Banker'.
• The book was first published in 2007 and focuses on the banking industry.
• It explores the ethical dilemmas in the corporate world through its characters.
• 'If God Was A Banker' has won the Golden Quill Readers Choice Award.
• Ravi Subramanian is known for his thrilling novels, often set against the backdrop of the financial services industry.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Option 4.

Key Points

• Right of inheritance
• When land is divided among legal heirs, it leads to smaller landholdings. Hence, (a) is correct.
• Uneconomic size of landholdings
• Small landholdings are not viable for profitable farming. Hence, (b) is correct.
• Fragmentation of land:
• Division of land into small, scattered plots makes it difficult to cultivate efficiently.
• These factors contribute to the excessive pressure on agricultural land in India. Hence, (c) is correct.
• Multiple cropping
• More than one crop grown on a piece of land during the year is known as multiple cropping.
• It is the most common way of increasing production on a given piece of land.
• All land is cultivated and no ground is left idle at any time during the year.Hence, (d) is incorrect.

Additional Information

• Problems of Indian Agriculture
• ​Variable and unpredictable rainfall patterns.
• Insufficient availability of irrigation infrastructure.
• Erosion of soil quality over time.
• Various approaches to farming and cultivation.
• Flawed techniques employed in crop cultivation.
• Decrease in the overall area of land used for cultivation.

The correct answer is G Kishan Reddy.

Key Points

• The correct answer is G Kishan Reddy.
• G Kishan Reddy has been serving as the Union Minister of Tourism since July 2021.
• He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and represents Secunderabad in the Lok Sabha.
• Under his leadership, the Ministry of Tourism focuses on promoting India as a holistic destination, both domestically and internationally.
• The ministry also works on initiatives to boost tourism through infrastructure development, digitalization, and enhancing the tourist experience.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Indian Councils Act, 1909.

Key Points

• Indian Councils Act, 1909
• The Indian Councils Act, 1909, is known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, named after the then Secretary of State for India, John Morley, and the Viceroy, Lord Minto.
• This Act aimed to introduce a series of reforms in the governance of British India to increase the participation of Indians in the administration.
• It provided for the expansion of the legislative councils at both the central and provincial levels, introducing the principle of separate electorates for Muslims by which Muslims could elect their own representatives.
• It also allowed for the first time the association of Indians with the executive councils of the Viceroy and Governors.

Additional Information

The correct answer is electromagnetic telegraph 

Key Points

• Carl Friedrich Gauss and Wilhelm Eduard Weber invented the electromagnetic telegraph in 1833.
• This invention was a pivotal moment in the history of communication, allowing for the transmission of messages over long distances via electromagnetic signals.
• The electromagnetic telegraph utilized a code (which later evolved into Morse code) to represent letters and numbers, making it possible to send complex messages quickly and efficiently.
• The collaboration between Gauss and Weber, combining mathematics and physics, led to significant advancements in the field of electromagnetism and telegraphy.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Bhupendra Patel

Key Points

• Bhupendra Patel was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Gujarat in December 2022.
• This marked his second term as the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
• He belongs to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which secured a significant victory in the state assembly elections.
• Bhupendra Patel first became the Chief Minister of Gujarat in September 2021.

Additional Information

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

The correct answer is Abhinandan Saroja Award

Key Points

• The Abhinandan Saroja Award, which is presented by the National Institute of Indian Classical Dance.
• This award is specifically designed to recognize outstanding contributions to the field of Indian classical dance.
• The National Institute of Indian Classical Dance plays a pivotal role in preserving and promoting the rich traditions of Indian classical dance forms.
• Receiving an award from such a prestigious institute is considered a significant honour and achievement in the Indian classical dance community.

Additional Information

The correct answer is 10.

Key Points

• A target in archery has 10 circles.
• These circles are used to score points, with the innermost circle scoring the highest points.
• The scoring rings allow archers to target specific areas to maximize their score.
• Each circle has a specific point value, with values decreasing as one moves outward from the center.
• Archery targets are standardized for competition to ensure fairness and consistency.

Additional Information

The correct answer is option 4.

Key Points

• Indian techniques such as Rasa and Bhawa in classical dances have their origins in Bharatmuni’s Natyashastra
• Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Bharatanatyam originated from Tamil Nadu.Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• Bharatanatyam is the oldest Indian classical dance and it originated hundreds of years ago in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
• This dance form expresses the religious themes and spiritual ideas of South India.
• The ancient Tamil epic Silappatikaram contains the description of Bharatanatyam.

Additional Information 

• Classical dances recognised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Ministry of Culture
• Bharatanatyam, from Tamil Nadu
• Kathak, from Uttar Pradesh
• Kathakali, from Kerala
• Kuchipudi, from Andhra Pradesh
• Manipuri, from Manipur
• Mohiniyattam, from Kerala
• Odissi, from Odisha
• Sattriya, from Assam
• Additionally, the Indian Ministry of Culture includes Chhau, from Eastern India (Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal) in its list, recognising nine total styles