NDA — Set 1

Correct Answer: C. Lothal

**Lothal**, located in present-day Gujarat, is the only Indus Valley site with evidence of a **tidal dockyard**, indicating advanced maritime trade. It was discovered in 1954 by archaeologist S.R. Rao. Lothal also had a bead factory and a warehouse, highlighting its role as a major trade centre.

Correct Answer: B. Bernoulli's Principle

**Bernoulli's Principle** states that as the speed of a fluid increases, its pressure decreases; the curved upper surface of a wing makes air move faster, creating lower pressure above and generating **lift**. This is the fundamental aerodynamic basis for heavier-than-air flight. The angle of attack and wing camber are designed to maximize this effect.

Correct Answer: C. 26 November 1949

The **Constituent Assembly** adopted the Constitution of India on **26 November 1949**, which is celebrated as **Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas)**. It came into force on 26 January 1950, celebrated as Republic Day. Dr. **B.R. Ambedkar** was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.

Correct Answer: B. Godavari and Krishna

The **Godavari** and **Krishna** are major **peninsular rivers** that originate on the Western Ghats and flow eastward across the Deccan Plateau into the Bay of Bengal. They are joined by many tributaries and form fertile deltas in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The Godavari is the longest peninsular river, often called the **Dakshina Ganga**.

Correct Answer: C. Khadakwasla, Pune

The **National Defence Academy (NDA)** is situated at **Khadakwasla** near Pune, Maharashtra, and is a tri-service academy for the Indian Armed Forces. It was established in 1954 and is a joint services pre-commission training institution. Cadets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force undergo three years of training here before proceeding to their respective service academies.

Correct Answer: B. Mass defect converted via E=mc²

In **nuclear fission**, the products have slightly less total mass than the reactants — this **mass defect** is converted into enormous energy according to Einstein's equation **E=mc²**. A single fission of U-235 releases approximately 200 MeV of energy. This principle powers both nuclear reactors and atomic bombs.

Correct Answer: C. Akbar

**Akbar** founded **Din-i-Ilahi** (Divine Faith) in 1582, blending elements of Islam, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, and Christianity to promote religious harmony. It was not a widespread religion but a court-level ethical order with very few followers. Akbar's policy of **Sulh-i-kul** (universal peace) underpinned his syncretic approach.

Correct Answer: C. Mariana Trench

The **Mariana Trench** in the western Pacific Ocean contains the **Challenger Deep**, the deepest known point on Earth at approximately 10,994 metres below sea level. It was first reached by Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh in 1960 aboard the bathyscaphe **Trieste**. The trench is formed by the subduction of the Pacific Plate under the Mariana Plate.

Correct Answer: C. Right to Life and Personal Liberty

**Article 21** guarantees the **Right to Life and Personal Liberty**, stating that no person shall be deprived of these rights except according to procedure established by law. The Supreme Court has expanded this article through landmark judgments to include rights like privacy, education, and a clean environment. It is considered the most fundamental of all Fundamental Rights.

Correct Answer: B. C.V. Raman

**C.V. Raman** discovered the **Raman Effect** — the inelastic scattering of photons by molecules — on 28 February 1928, now celebrated as **National Science Day**. He was awarded the **Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930**, becoming the first Asian to win a Nobel in science. The Raman Effect has wide applications in spectroscopy and material analysis.

Correct Answer: B. Naval expeditions to Southeast Asia

The **Chola** dynasty, particularly under **Rajendra Chola I** (1014–1044 CE), launched remarkable **naval expeditions** to Southeast Asia — conquering parts of Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and reaching the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. This made the Chola empire one of the most powerful naval powers in medieval Asia. Their navy controlled trade routes in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean.

Correct Answer: C. Canada

**Canada** has the longest coastline in the world at approximately **202,080 km**, owing to its numerous islands, bays, and fjords along the Arctic, Pacific, and Atlantic coasts. Russia has the second longest coastline. Canada's vast coastline also gives it jurisdiction over the world's largest exclusive economic zones.

Correct Answer: B. Military rank and salary administration

The **mansabdari system** was Akbar's system for organizing the **military and civil bureaucracy** by assigning numerical ranks (**mansabs**) that determined pay, military obligations, and status. Each mansabdar held two ranks — **zat** (personal rank) and **sawar** (cavalry commanded). It integrated the nobility into a unified administrative hierarchy under imperial control.

Correct Answer: D. Akash

**Agni-V** is India's long-range **surface-to-surface ballistic missile** with a range exceeding 5,000 km, placing it in the ICBM class. It was developed by the **Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)** and first tested in April 2012. Agni-V can carry a nuclear warhead and significantly enhances India's nuclear deterrence capability.

Correct Answer: B. Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic

The **Preamble** of the Constitution declares India to be a **Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic** — ensuring justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity for all citizens. The words 'Socialist' and 'Secular' were added by the **42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976)**. The Preamble is considered the soul of the Constitution by the Supreme Court.

Correct Answer: C. 1974

India's first nuclear test, codenamed **'Smiling Buddha'** (Pokhran-I), was conducted on **18 May 1974** at the Pokhran test range in Rajasthan under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. India described it as a 'peaceful nuclear explosion,' making India the sixth nation to test nuclear weapons. The second series of tests, **'Operation Shakti'** (Pokhran-II), was conducted in May 1998.

Correct Answer: B. Boyle's Law

**Boyle's Law** (1662) states that at constant temperature, **pressure × volume = constant (P₁V₁ = P₂V₂)** for a given mass of gas. Proposed by **Robert Boyle**, it is a fundamental principle of the ideal gas model. It explains phenomena like why a balloon shrinks when compressed.

Correct Answer: B. Forced cultivation of indigo by planters

The **Champaran Satyagraha (1917)** was Gandhi's first civil disobedience movement in India, launched against the **tinkathia system** — a colonial arrangement forcing peasants to cultivate **indigo** on 3/20 of their land for European planters. It was Gandhi's first major success in India and marked his emergence as a mass leader. The British were compelled to abolish the exploitative system.

Correct Answer: B. Has the largest discharge volume of any river

The **Amazon River** has the **largest discharge volume** of any river in the world — approximately 20% of all freshwater flowing into the world's oceans comes from the Amazon. The Nile is longer in length, but the Amazon surpasses all other rivers in terms of water volume and basin size. The Amazon basin contains the world's largest tropical rainforest.

Correct Answer: C. Major Somnath Sharma

**Major Somnath Sharma** of the 4th Battalion, Kumaon Regiment, was the **first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra**, awarded posthumously for his actions during the defence of Badgam airfield, Kashmir, on 3 November 1947. He was killed while personally directing the defence against a far superior Pakistani-tribal force. His sacrifice secured the airfield, enabling Indian reinforcements to land.

Correct Answer: D. Gamma rays

**Gamma rays** have the **shortest wavelength** (and highest frequency and energy) in the electromagnetic spectrum, typically less than 10 picometres. They are produced by radioactive decay of atomic nuclei and nuclear reactions. Due to their high penetrating power, gamma rays are used in cancer radiotherapy and sterilization of medical equipment.

Correct Answer: D. 1942

The **Quit India Movement (August Kranti)** was launched by the **Indian National Congress** on 8 August 1942 under Mahatma Gandhi's leadership, demanding immediate British withdrawal from India. The British arrested Gandhi and other leaders within hours, but the movement continued through underground activities. The slogan **'Do or Die'** became its rallying cry.

Correct Answer: A. Article 13

**Article 13** declares that any law inconsistent with or in derogation of Fundamental Rights shall be void, giving the Supreme Court (and High Courts) the power of **Judicial Review** — to strike down unconstitutional laws. This is a cornerstone of constitutional supremacy in India. The power of judicial review was further articulated in the **Kesavananda Bharati case (1973)**.

Correct Answer: B. Harihara and Bukka

The **Vijayanagara Empire** was founded in 1336 CE by **Harihara I and Bukka Raya I**, two brothers who were former officers of the Hoysala and Kakatiya kingdoms. The empire served as the last great Hindu kingdom of South India and a bulwark against Deccan Sultanate expansion. Its greatest ruler was **Krishnadevaraya (1509–1529)**, known for military conquests and patronage of art and literature.

Correct Answer: C. Hot desert (BWh)

Western Rajasthan (Thar Desert region) has a **hot desert climate (BWh)** characterized by extreme heat, very low annual rainfall (less than 250 mm), and sparse xerophytic vegetation. The Thar Desert is one of the most densely populated desert regions in the world due to the Indus river system nearby. It is also called the **Great Indian Desert**.

Correct Answer: C. 180° longitude

The **International Date Line (IDL)** roughly follows the **180° meridian** of longitude in the Pacific Ocean, with deviations to avoid splitting island nations. Crossing it from east to west advances the calendar by one day, while crossing from west to east subtracts one day. It is the boundary between calendar days and is not a recognized international treaty line.

Correct Answer: B. Semi-conservative replication

DNA replication is **semi-conservative** — each new DNA molecule contains one original (parental) strand and one newly synthesized strand. The **Meselson-Stahl experiment (1958)** used heavy nitrogen (¹⁵N) and light nitrogen (¹⁴N) to prove this conclusively. The enzyme **DNA polymerase** catalyzes the synthesis of the new strand in the 5'→3' direction.

Correct Answer: B. Chauri Chaura violence incident

Gandhi suspended the **Non-Cooperation Movement** in February 1922 after the **Chauri Chaura incident**, where a mob killed 22 police officers by burning the police station in Chauri Chaura, Uttar Pradesh. Gandhi believed that the masses were not ready for non-violent resistance and that violence would undermine the movement's moral authority. This decision was criticized by many Congress leaders including **Subhas Chandra Bose** and Motilal Nehru.

Correct Answer: C. South America

The **Andes** is the longest continental mountain range in the world, stretching approximately 7,000 km along the **western coast of South America** through countries including Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. It contains the highest peak outside Asia — **Aconcagua (6,961 m)** in Argentina. The Andes formed through the subduction of the Nazca Plate under the South American Plate.

Correct Answer: C. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

The **Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)** conducts the **National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (NDANA)** twice a year for admission to the NDA and Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC). UPSC is the apex recruitment body for Group-A civil services and defence services examinations. Successful candidates join the NDA at Khadakwasla or the Naval Academy at **Ezhimala**, Kerala.

Correct Answer: A. Azad Hind Sarkar

Subhas Chandra Bose established the **Azad Hind Sarkar (Provisional Government of Free India)** in Singapore on 21 October 1943, with the INA as its armed force. The INA (**Azad Hind Fauj**) fought alongside Japanese forces in the Imphal and Kohima campaigns (1944). Bose's rallying cry was **'Dilli Chalo' (March to Delhi)** and the famous phrase **'Give me blood, I will give you freedom'**.

Correct Answer: B. Glycolysis

**Glycolysis** is the first stage of cellular respiration, occurring in the **cytoplasm** of cells, where one molecule of glucose (6-carbon) is broken down into two molecules of **pyruvate** (3-carbon), producing a net gain of 2 ATP. It occurs in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The pyruvate is then transported to the mitochondria for the **Krebs cycle** and electron transport chain in aerobic respiration.

Correct Answer: C. Part IV

The **Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)** are contained in **Part IV (Articles 36–51)** of the Indian Constitution. They are non-justiciable but fundamental in governance — the state shall endeavor to apply them in making laws. They were borrowed from the **Irish Constitution** and guide the state toward social and economic justice.

Correct Answer: B. No First Use (NFU)

India's **nuclear doctrine** adopts a **No First Use (NFU)** policy — India commits not to use nuclear weapons first, but threatens **massive retaliation** in case of a nuclear attack on Indian territory or forces. The doctrine was formalized by the **National Security Advisory Board** in 1999 and reaffirmed subsequently. India also commits to **no use against non-nuclear states**.

Correct Answer: C. Always increases or stays the same

The **Second Law of Thermodynamics** states that the total **entropy** (disorder) of an isolated system **always increases or remains constant** in any natural process — it never spontaneously decreases. This explains why heat flows from hot to cold, why machines cannot be 100% efficient, and why perpetual motion machines are impossible. The concept of entropy was formulated by **Rudolf Clausius** in the 1850s.

Correct Answer: B. 121 crore (1.21 billion)

India's **Census 2011** recorded a total population of approximately **121 crore (1.21 billion)**, making India the second most populous country in the world at that time. The **decadal growth rate** was 17.7%, down from 21.5% in 2001. The **literacy rate** was 74.04% and the **sex ratio** was 943 females per 1000 males.

Correct Answer: C. Aryabhata

**Aryabhata (476–550 CE)**, the great Gupta-era mathematician and astronomer, calculated the value of **π as approximately 3.1416**, explained solar and lunar eclipses scientifically, and proposed that **Earth rotates on its own axis**. His work **Aryabhatiya** is a seminal text in Indian mathematics and astronomy. He is also credited with using the concept of zero.

Correct Answer: C. Same number of valence electrons

Elements in the same **vertical group** of the periodic table have the **same number of valence electrons**, which explains their similar chemical properties and reactivity patterns. For example, all elements in Group 1 (alkali metals) have 1 valence electron and react similarly with water. The modern periodic table is arranged in order of increasing **atomic number**.

Correct Answer: A. Cartridges lubricated with pigs' and cows' fat (Enfield rifle)

The **Revolt of 1857** was immediately triggered by the introduction of **Enfield P-53 rifle** cartridges, which were rumored to be greased with **pigs' fat and cows' fat** — offensive to Muslim and Hindu sepoys respectively, as they had to bite off the cartridge tip. This became the **immediate cause** of the revolt, though deeper causes included economic exploitation, racial discrimination, and annexation of Indian princely states. The revolt began at **Meerut on 10 May 1857**.

Correct Answer: B. Exercise JIMEX

**Exercise JIMEX (Japan-India Maritime Exercise)** is a bilateral naval exercise between the **Indian Navy** and **Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)**, focused on maritime security and interoperability. India also participates in **Exercise Malabar** (with the US and Japan), **Exercise Varuna** (with France), and **Exercise Shakti** (with France as land exercise). These exercises strengthen India's maritime partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.