General Awareness PYQs

The correct answer is 1911.

Key Points

• Air transport in India:-
• Air transport in India was launched in 1911 with the first official airmail flight flown by French pilot Henri Pequet.
• The flight took place on February 18, 1911, from Allahabad to Naini, a distance of about 6 miles. Pequet carried about 6,500 pieces of mail on his Humber biplane.
• The flight was a success and marked the beginning of a new era for transportation in India.
• In the years that followed, air transport in India grew rapidly.
• In 1912, the first regular air service in India was established between Karachi and Delhi.
• This service was operated by the Indian State Air Services, which was a joint venture between the Indian government and Imperial Airways of the United Kingdom.

The correct answer is Yajurveda.

Key Points

• Yajurveda:-
• The Yajurveda is the Veda primarily of prose mantras for worship rituals.
• It is one of the four Vedas, the Hindu scriptures that are considered to be the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism.
• The Yajurveda is compiled with ritual-offering formulas that were said by a priest while an individual performed ritual actions such as those before the Yajna fire.
• The Yajurveda is also one of the scriptures of Hinduism.
• The Veda that is found in two recensions, black and white, and is full of rituals to be performed publicly or individually is the Yajurveda.

Additional Information

• Rigveda:-
• It is the oldest and most important of the four Vedas.
• It is a collection of over 1,000 hymns that were composed over a period of centuries, most likely between 1500 and 1200 BCE.
• The hymns are dedicated to a variety of deities, including Indra, Agni, and Soma.
• The Rigveda is considered to be one of the most important texts in Hindu literature. It is a source of information about early Indian culture and religion.
• Atharvaveda:-
• It is the fourth and youngest of the four Vedas.
• It is a collection of hymns and spells that are used for a variety of purposes, including healing, protection, and cursing.
• The Atharvaveda is considered to be a practical Veda, as it deals with the everyday concerns of life.
• It is also a source of information about Indian folk medicine and magic.
• Samaveda:-
• It is the third of the four Vedas.
• It is a collection of hymns that are set to music.
• The hymns are derived from the Rigveda, but they are set to a different melody.
• The Samaveda is considered to be the Veda of music, and it is used in Hindu rituals. It is also a source of information about Indian music theory and practice.

The correct answer is Maya Angelou. 

Key Points

• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings:-
• It is a poignant and powerful autobiography by Maya Angelou, chronicling her childhood and early adolescence in the racially segregated South of the United States from the 1930s to the 1940s.
• Through vivid storytelling and raw emotion, Angelou paints a vivid portrait of her experiences with racism, poverty, and trauma, yet also highlights her resilience, strength, and unwavering belief in the power of words and education.

Additional Information

• Dolly Alderton:-
• She is a British writer and journalist born in 1994.
• She is best known for her novel Everything I Know About Love, which was adapted into a television series in 2022. Alderton has also written for publications such as The Guardian, The Sunday Times, and Vogue.
• She is known for her witty and insightful writing about love, relationships, and modern life.
• Michelle Obama:-
• She is an American lawyer, writer, and television personality who served as the First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017.
• She is the wife of former President Barack Obama. Obama is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School.
• She worked as a lawyer and corporate executive before entering public service. As First Lady, Obama focused on issues such as healthy living, education, and support for military families.
• She is also the author of two bestselling books, Becoming and The Light We Carry.
• Patricia Lockwood:-
• She is an American poet and essayist born in 1981.
• She is best known for her memoir Priestdaddy, which was a finalist for the 2017 National Book Critics Circle Award in Autobiography. Lockwood is also a contributing editor at The New Yorker.

The correct answer is Article 39 A

Key Points

• Article 39A:-
• It is a fundamental right that guarantees equal justice and free legal aid to all citizens.
• It states that "The State shall ensure that, within the limits of its economic capacity and development, as may be every citizen, regardless of economic or other disabilities, has access to justice".
• This means that the government has a responsibility to provide legal aid to those who cannot afford it. The right to free legal aid is not justiciable, meaning that it cannot be enforced through the courts.
• However, it is a fundamental right that is enshrined in the Constitution, and the government has a moral obligation to uphold it.

Additional Information

• Article 43A- Living wage, etc, for workers.
• Article 43B - Promotion of co-operative societies.

The correct answer is Mahad Satyagraha.

Key Points

• Mahad Satyagraha:-
• It is also known as the Chavdar Tale Satyagraha.
• It was a non-violent resistance movement led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to assert the right of untouchables to use a public water tank in Mahad, Maharashtra, India. It took place on March 20, 1927.
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a prominent Dalit leader and intellectual, recognized the need to challenge these unjust practices. He believed in the power of education and self-improvement to uplift the Dalit community.

Additional Information

• Nasik Temple Satyagraha:-
• It was a non-violent protest movement led by Mahatma Gandhi to allow Dalits to enter the Kalaram Temple in Nasik, Maharashtra, India.
• The protest took place between March 25 and April 2, 1930.
• Mulshi Satyagraha:-
• It was a non-violent protest movement led by Mahatma Gandhi to protect the rights of farmers in the Mulshi taluka of Pune district, Maharashtra, India.
• The protest took place between 1925 and 1927.
• Dharasana Satyagraha:-
• It was a non-violent protest movement led by Mahatma Gandhi to protest against the salt tax in India.
• The protest took place on May 13, 1930.

The correct answer is Madras.

Key Points

• Home Rule League:-
• It was an Indian political organization that campaigned for self-governance for India within the British Empire.
• It was founded in 1916 by two prominent Indian nationalists, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant.
• The Home Rule League was active for about two years, and it played a significant role in the Indian independence movement.
• Annie Besant’s Home Rule League was centered in Madras, India.

Additional Information

• Annie Besant:-
• She was a British socialist, theosophist, freemason, women's rights and Home Rule activist, educationist, and campaigner for Indian nationalism.
• She was an ardent supporter of both Irish and Indian self-rule.
• She is the First Female President of the Indian National Congress in 1917.

The correct answer is 8 km and 18 km.

Key Points

• Troposphere:-
• The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere.
• It is the densest layer of the atmosphere, containing about 75% of the total mass of the atmosphere and 99% of the total mass of water vapor.
• The height of the troposphere varies with latitude, being lowest at the poles (about 8 kilometers or 5 miles) and highest at the equator (about 18 kilometers or 11 miles).
• This is because the Earth receives more solar radiation at the equator, which heats the air and causes it to expand and rise.
• The rising air cools as it expands, and this process continues until the air reaches the tropopause, the boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere. The tropopause is marked by a sharp decrease in temperature with height.

The correct answer is Rani Machaiah.

 Key Points

• Rani Machaiah:-
• She is a renowned Indian folk dancer and cultural activist from Kodagu, Karnataka, India.
• She is widely recognized for her unwavering dedication to preserving and promoting the Kodava culture, particularly the traditional folk dance form known as Ummathat.
• Her tireless efforts have earned her the prestigious Padma Shri award, one of India's highest civilian honors, in 2023.

Additional Information

• Ajay Kumar Mandavi:-
• He is a wood artist and social worker from Chhattisgarh, India.
• He is known for his work in teaching wood art to prisoners in the Kanker District Jail, which has helped many of them to rehabilitate and find a new livelihood after their release.
• Mandavi was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors, in 2023 for his contributions to society.

The correct answer is Jagjit Singh.

Key Points

• The Unforgettables:-
• The collection of semi-classical music "The Unforgettables" was by the Ghazal singer Jagjit Singh and his wife Chitra Singh.
• The album was released in two volumes in 1976 and 1978, respectively.
• It features a selection of their most popular ghazals, as well as some lesser-known gems. The album is considered to be a classic of Indian music and has been reissued numerous times.

Additional Information

• Jagjit Singh:-
• He is often referred to as the "Ghazal King".
• He was a renowned Indian composer, singer, and musician who played a pivotal role in revitalizing and popularizing the ghazal, an ancient form of Urdu poetry set to music.
• Born in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, on February 8, 1941, Singh's melodious voice and heartfelt renditions captivated audiences worldwide.
• Mehdi Hassan:-
• He is a British-American broadcaster and best-selling author of Indian descent.
• He has presented The Mehdi Hasan Show on Peacock since October 2020 and on MSNBC since February 2021.
• Hasan is known for his progressive and critical views on politics, media, and society.
• He has been praised for his sharp wit and incisive commentary, but he has also been criticized for his sometimes abrasive style.
• Mallika Pukhraj:-
• She was a highly popular ghazal and folk singer of Pakistan.
• She was generally known as "Malika", meaning "The Queen", publicly. She was extremely popular for her rendition of Hafeez Jalandhri's nazm song, Abhi tau main jawan hoon ("I am still young"), which is enjoyed by millions not only in Pakistan, but also in India.
• Talat Mahmood:-
• He was an Indian playback singer and a ghazal maestro. He was born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, to a family with a rich musical heritage.
• Talat's melodious voice and emotive renditions of ghazals made him one of the most sought-after singers of the Golden Era of Hindi cinema.
• He lent his voice to legendary actors like Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Raj Kapoor, and Sunil Dutt, and sang some of the most memorable Hindi film songs of the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.

The correct answer is BVR Subrahmanyam.

Key Points

• B.V.R. Subrahmanyam:-
• He is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1987 batch (Chhattisgarh cadre).
• He is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog, the Government of India's policy think tank.
• He has also served as the Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Chief Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir, and Additional Chief Secretary (Home) of Chhattisgarh.
• He has also served in various positions in the Prime Minister's Office.

Additional Information

• **T.

V. Somanathan:-**

• He is a distinguished Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1987 batch, currently serving as the Finance Secretary of India.
• He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Calcutta and has extensive experience in various facets of public administration, finance, and development economics.
• Amitabh Kant:-
• He is an Indian economist, bureaucrat, and author who has served in various positions in the Government of India.
• He is currently the G20 Sherpa of India, responsible for representing India at the G20 summits.
• Ajay Kumar Bhalla:-
• He is an Indian civil servant who is currently serving as the Home Secretary of India.
• He is a 1984-batch IAS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre. He has held several important positions in the Government of India, including Secretary, Ministry of Power, Director General of Foreign Trade, and Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce.

The correct answer is Both A and C.

Key Points

• Hornbill Festival:-
• It is also known as the 'Festival of Festivals,' is an annual cultural extravaganza held in the northeastern Indian state of Nagaland.
• It takes place from the 1^st to 10^th of December every year, showcasing the vibrant and diverse Naga heritage through a kaleidoscope of traditional music, dances, cuisine, handicrafts, and indigenous sports.
• The festival's name is derived from the revered hornbill bird, a symbol of wisdom, peace, and prosperity in Naga folklore.
• The hornbill's majestic presence and its significance in Naga culture are reflected in the festival's colorful attire, intricate hornbill-inspired artwork, and captivating dance performances that mimic the bird's movements.

The correct answer is CH₃Cl.

Key Points

• Methyl chloride:-
• It also known as chloromethane or Refrigerant-40, is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH₃Cl.
• It is a colorless, sweet-smelling, flammable gas that is used in a variety of industrial applications.
• Methyl chloride is produced by the reaction of methanol with hydrogen chloride. It can also be produced by the chlorination of methane.
• Methyl chloride is used in a variety of industrial applications, including:
• Refrigerant: Methyl chloride was formerly used as a refrigerant, but it has been phased out due to its environmental concerns.
• Fumigant: Methyl chloride is used as a fumigant to control pests in stored grain and other products.
• Methylating agent: Methyl chloride is used as a methylating agent to attach CH3 groups to other molecules.
• Silicone production: Methyl chloride is used in the production of silicone polymer

Additional Information

• Methane:-
• CH₄ is a chemical compound with the simplest alkane and the main constituent of natural gas.
• It is a colorless, odorless gas that is flammable and has a boiling point of -161.5 °C (-258.7 °F) and a melting point of -182.5 °C (-294.5 °F).
• Ethane:-
• It is a naturally occurring organic compound with the chemical formula C₂H₆.
• At standard temperature and pressure, ethane is a colorless, odorless gas. It is the second simplest alkane, after methane, and is the main component of natural gas.
• Acetylene or ethyne:-
• C₂H₂ is the simplest alkyne, a chemical compound with the formula H−C≡C−H.
• It is a colorless gas with a faint, garlic-like odor. Acetylene is highly flammable and unstable, and it is often handled in a solution.

The correct answer is  Pesticides residues. 

Key Points

• Pesticides:-
• These are chemicals used to kill pests, such as insects, rodents, and weeds.
• They can be found on fruits, vegetables, and other foods.
• When pesticides are not washed off of food or when they are used in excessive amounts, they can become a chemical hazard.

Additional Information

• Physical hazards:-
• These are any object that can cause injury if swallowed or ingested.
• For example, swallowing a stone or piece of jewellery could cause choking or blockage of the digestive tract.
• Stones, sand, and jewellery are physical hazards, not chemical hazards.

The correct answer is Scypha.

Key Points

• Scypha:-
• It is a cnidarian, which is a type of invertebrate animal that includes jellyfish, corals, and anemones.
• Protozoans are single-celled eukaryotes, while cnidarians are multicellular eukaryotes.
• Scypha is not a protozoan.

Additional Information

• Euglena:-
• It is a genus of single-celled eukaryotes that are characterized by their photosynthetic capabilities.
• They are found in freshwater and saltwater environments, and they have a flagellum that allows them to move.
• Euglena are able to produce their own food through photosynthesis, but they can also ingest bacteria and other small organisms.
• Amoeba:-
• It is a genus of single-celled eukaryotes that are known for their ability to change shape.
• They are found in freshwater and saltwater environments, as well as in soil.
• Amoeba move by extending and retracting their pseudopodia, which are finger-like projections of their cell membrane.
• Plasmodium:-
• It is a genus of single-celled eukaryotes that are parasites of vertebrates.
• They are transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito.
• Plasmodium causes malaria, a disease that can be fatal if not treated.

The correct answer is Natya Shastra.

Key Points

• Natya Shastra:-
• Natya Shastra is a treatise on the art of theatre, dance, and music. It is considered to be one of the oldest and most comprehensive texts on these subjects.
• The text is attributed to Bharata Muni, a sage who is said to have lived in the 2^nd century BCE.
• Natya Shastra is divided into 36 chapters and covers a wide range of topics, including the history of theatre, the different types of plays, the roles of the actors, the costumes, the music, and the dance.
• The text also provides detailed instructions on how to perform a play.
• Natya Shastra has had a profound influence on the development of theatre, dance, and music in India.
• It is still studied and performed today, and it is considered to be a classic work of Indian literature.

Additional Information

• Yajur Veda:-
• It is one of the four Vedas, the sacred scriptures of Hinduism.
• It is a collection of mantras, or sacred utterances, that are used in religious rituals. Yajur Veda is divided into two main parts: the Black Yajur Veda and the White Yajur Veda.
• Artha Shastra:-
• It is a treatise on economics, politics, and statecraft.
• It is considered to be one of the oldest and most important works on these subjects.
• The text is attributed to Kautilya, a minister to the Mauryan emperor Chandragupta Maurya.
• Atharva Veda:-
• It is one of the four Vedas, the sacred scriptures of Hinduism.
• It is a collection of mantras, or sacred utterances, that are used in a variety of rituals.
• Atharva Veda is divided into 20 books and contains over 7000 mantras.

The correct answer is Anurag Thakur.

Key Points

• Anurag Thakur:-
• He is an Indian politician currently serving as the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports in the Government of India.
• He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has been a Member of Parliament (MP) from Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh since 2008.
• Thakur is an avid sports enthusiast and has served as the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from 2015 to 2017.
• He is also the president of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA).

Additional Information

• S Jaishankar:-
• He is the current Minister of External Affairs of India.
• He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has been a Member of Parliament (MP) from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, since 2014.
• Smriti Irani:-
• She is the current Minister for Women and Child Development and Minister for Minority Affairs of India.
• She is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has been a Member of Parliament (MP) from Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, since 2019.
• Kiren Rijiju:-
• He is the current Minister of Law and Justice and Minister of Justice of India.
• He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has been a Member of Parliament (MP) from Arunachal West, Arunachal Pradesh, since 2004.

The correct answer is Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

Key Points

• Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu:-
• He is the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, as of January 2023.
• He was sworn in as the 15^th Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh on December 12, 2022.
• He is a member of the Indian National Congress.
• He was born on March 27, 1964, in Nadaun, Hamirpur district, Himachal Pradesh. He is the son of Rasil Singh, a bus driver.
• Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu started his political career in 1982, when he was elected as Class Representative at Government Degree College, Sanjauli.
• He was elected General Secretary of the college in 1983 and President in 1984.

Additional Information

• Pushkar Singh Dhami:-
• He is the 12^th and current Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, India. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
• He was sworn in as Chief Minister on July 3, 2021, following the resignation of Tirath Singh Rawat.
• Bhupesh Baghel:-
• He is the 3^rd and current Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, India. He is a member of the Indian National Congress (INC).
• He was sworn in as Chief Minister on December 17, 2018, following the resignation of Raman Singh.
• Ashok Gehlot:-
• He is an Indian politician serving as the 15^th and current Chief Minister of Rajasthan since 2018.
• He held this position from December 1998 to 2003, and from 2008 to 2013.

The correct answer is Bihar and Sikkim.

Key Points

• Census of India 2011:- The following group of states have a very high percentage of the rural population.
• Himachal Pradesh: 90.83%
• Odisha: 84.76%
• Bihar: 80.19%
• Sikkim: 79.06%
• Meghalaya: 77.32%
• Assam: 76.40%
• Uttar Pradesh: 74.07%
• These states have a large rural population due to a number of factors, including:-
• Geographical location: Many of these states are located in mountainous or hilly regions, which makes it difficult for urban centers to develop.
• Economic factors: Many of these states are relatively poor, and there is not as much demand for urban goods and services.
• Cultural factors: In some of these states, there is a strong cultural preference for rural living.

The correct answer is 1985.

Key Points

• Dronacharya Award:-
• It is a prestigious national recognition for outstanding coaches in sports and games in India.
• It is named after Dronacharya, a revered figure in Hindu mythology, known for his exceptional coaching skills and contributions to the field of archery.
• The award was instituted in 1985 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to recognize the invaluable contributions of coaches in nurturing and guiding athletes to achieve excellence in sports.
• The award is given annually to coaches who have consistently produced outstanding sportspersons who have brought laurels to the country at international competitions.
• There are two categories of Dronacharya Awards:
• Lifetime Contribution Category: This category recognizes coaches who have made outstanding contributions to sports coaching over a period of 20 years or more.
• Regular Category: This category recognizes coaches who have consistently produced outstanding sportspersons for at least five years in the preceding period of ten years.

The correct answer is Knight.

Key Points

• Knight:-
• The chess piece that can jump to any square in an L shape is the knight.
• It moves two squares in one direction, then one square perpendicular to that direction. This movement pattern is unique to the knight and makes it a very versatile piece.
• The knight is also the only piece that can jump over other pieces.
• This means that it can attack pieces that are on squares between its starting position and its destination. This makes the knight a very powerful piece, especially in crowded positions.

Additional Information

• King:
• The most important piece on the board. The game is over if the king is captured (checkmated).
• The king can move one square in any direction.
• Queen:
• The most powerful piece on the board.
• The queen can move any number of squares in any direction (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally).
• Rook:
• A very strong piece that can move any number of squares horizontally or vertically.
• The rook is often paired with the queen to deliver checkmate.