SSC CGL — Set 12

Q: Which among the following Harappan sites is located in the state of Gujarat?

Lothal. Lothal was a prominent city of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization located in Gujarat. It is famous for having the world's earliest known dockyard. This site served as a vital trade center connecting the Indus empire to the Arabian Sea.

Q: What is the escape velocity of an object from the surface of the Earth?

11.2 km/s. The escape velocity on Earth is approximately 11.2 km/s, which is the minimum speed needed to break free from Earth's gravity. This value depends on the mass and radius of the planet. It is independent of the mass of the escaping object.

Q: Which Article of the Indian Constitution empowers the President to appoint the Attorney General of India?

Article 76. Article 76 states that the President shall appoint a person who is qualified to be appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court to be Attorney General. The Attorney General is the highest law officer in the country. They have the right to speak in both Houses of Parliament without the right to vote.

Q: Which of the following layers of the Earth is primarily composed of Iron and Nickel?

Core. The Earth's core is mainly composed of a nickel-iron alloy, often referred to as 'Nife'. It consists of a solid inner core and a liquid outer core. The movement of the liquid outer core is responsible for Earth's magnetic field.

Q: The first Five-Year Plan of India was based on which economic model?

Harrod-Domar Model. The First Five-Year Plan (1951–1956) was based on the Harrod-Domar model with a few modifications. It focused primarily on the development of the agricultural sector to ensure food security. In contrast, the second plan followed the Mahalanobis model which focused on heavy industries.

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Which among the following Harappan sites is located in the state of Gujarat?

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Correct Answer: C. Lothal

Lothal was a prominent city of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization located in Gujarat. It is famous for having the world's earliest known dockyard. This site served as a vital trade center connecting the Indus empire to the Arabian Sea.

What is the escape velocity of an object from the surface of the Earth?

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Correct Answer: B. 11.2 km/s

The escape velocity on Earth is approximately 11.2 km/s, which is the minimum speed needed to break free from Earth's gravity. This value depends on the mass and radius of the planet. It is independent of the mass of the escaping object.

Which Article of the Indian Constitution empowers the President to appoint the Attorney General of India?

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Correct Answer: C. Article 76

Article 76 states that the President shall appoint a person who is qualified to be appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court to be Attorney General. The Attorney General is the highest law officer in the country. They have the right to speak in both Houses of Parliament without the right to vote.

Which of the following layers of the Earth is primarily composed of Iron and Nickel?

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Correct Answer: C. Core

The Earth's core is mainly composed of a nickel-iron alloy, often referred to as 'Nife'. It consists of a solid inner core and a liquid outer core. The movement of the liquid outer core is responsible for Earth's magnetic field.

The first Five-Year Plan of India was based on which economic model?

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Correct Answer: B. Harrod-Domar Model

The First Five-Year Plan (1951–1956) was based on the Harrod-Domar model with a few modifications. It focused primarily on the development of the agricultural sector to ensure food security. In contrast, the second plan followed the Mahalanobis model which focused on heavy industries.

Which Buddhist Council was held during the reign of King Ashoka?

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Correct Answer: C. Third Council

The Third Buddhist Council was convened in Pataliputra under the patronage of Emperor Ashoka. It was presided over by the monk Moggaliputta Tissa. The primary objective was to purify the Buddhist movement from opportunistic factions.

In which year did the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) start its operations?

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Correct Answer: B. 1935

The RBI commenced its operations on April 1, 1935, in accordance with the RBI Act, 1934. It was originally established as a private shareholders' bank. It was later nationalized on January 1, 1949.

What is the common name of Sodium Carbonate?

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Correct Answer: B. Washing Soda

Washing soda is the common name for Sodium Carbonate with the chemical formula $Na_2CO_3$. It is widely used in the glass, soap, and paper industries. It is also used for removing the permanent hardness of water.

The 'Dronacharya Award' is given to individuals for their excellence in which field?

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Correct Answer: B. Sports Coaching

The Dronacharya Award is presented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to outstanding coaches in sports. It recognizes their contribution to the success of athletes at international events. The award is named after Dronacharya, the legendary guru from the Mahabharata.

Which of the following is a Kharif crop?

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Correct Answer: C. Maize

Maize is a Kharif crop that is typically sown at the beginning of the monsoon season in June-July. Kharif crops require high temperatures and plenty of rainfall. Other examples include rice, cotton, and soybean.

Which blood group is known as the 'Universal Donor'?

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Correct Answer: D. Group O-

Group O- is the correct answer to this question. This is an important fact from the General Knowledge and Current Affairs syllabus frequently tested in Indian competitive examinations such as SSC CGL, RRB NTPC, and state-level PSC exams. A thorough understanding of Group O- and related topics will help candidates score well in the GK section. Regular revision of such key facts is highly recommended for exam preparation.

Who was the first Sultan of Delhi to introduce 'Token Currency'?

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Correct Answer: B. Muhammad bin Tughlaq

Muhammad bin Tughlaq introduced brass and copper coins as token currency in the 14th century. The value of these coins was meant to be equal to silver and gold coins. However, the experiment failed due to large-scale forging of the new currency.

The 'Kyoto Protocol' is an international treaty related to which issue?

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Correct Answer: B. Climate Change

The Kyoto Protocol was an international treaty adopted in 1997 to combat Climate Change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It was the first binding international agreement that set targets for developed nations to reduce their carbon emissions. Climate Change is now addressed by the Paris Agreement of 2015, which all countries are encouraged to ratify.

Which among the following is a direct tax in India?

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Correct Answer: C. Income Tax

Income tax is a direct tax levied by the government on the annual income of individuals and businesses. Direct taxes are paid directly to the government by the person on whom they are imposed. Indirect taxes, like GST, are collected by intermediaries from consumers.

In which part of the human body is the 'Stapes' bone located?

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Correct Answer: B. Ear

The stapes is the smallest and lightest bone in the human body, located in the middle ear. It plays a crucial role in transmitting sound vibrations to the inner ear. Along with the malleus and incus, it forms the ossicular chain.

Which Indian state shares the longest international border with Bangladesh?

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Correct Answer: C. West Bengal

West Bengal shares the longest border with Bangladesh, stretching over 2,200 kilometers. India and Bangladesh share a total boundary of 4,096 kilometers. Five Indian states—West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram—share this border.

The term 'Bully' is associated with which of the following sports?

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Correct Answer: B. Hockey

A 'Bully' is a method used in field hockey to restart play after a stoppage or goal. Two opposing players face each other and tap their sticks on the ground and each other's sticks three times before hitting the ball. It is similar to a face-off in ice hockey.

Who was the founder of the 'Satavahana Dynasty'?

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Correct Answer: B. Simuka

Simuka was the founder of the Satavahana dynasty, which ruled over the Deccan region of India. The dynasty rose to power after the decline of the Mauryan Empire. They are well-known for being the first Indian kings to issue coins with portraits of their rulers.

Which chemical element has the symbol 'Sn'?

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Correct Answer: C. Tin

The symbol 'Sn' stands for the chemical element Tin, derived from its Latin name 'Stannum'. It is a silvery-white metal that is resistant to corrosion. Tin is commonly used for plating other metals and in the production of alloys like bronze.

The 73rd Amendment Act of 1992 added which Schedule to the Indian Constitution?

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Correct Answer: B. Eleventh Schedule

The 73rd Amendment Act added the Eleventh Schedule, which contains 29 functional items for Panchayats. This amendment gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions in India. The Twelfth Schedule was added by the 74th Amendment for Municipalities.

Which state is the largest producer of Saffron in India?

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Correct Answer: C. Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is the primary and largest producer of high-quality saffron in India. The Karewa highlands of the Kashmir Valley are particularly famous for saffron cultivation. India is the second-largest producer of saffron in the world after Iran.

What is the study of fossils called?

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Correct Answer: B. Paleontology

Paleontology is the scientific study of the history of life on Earth through the examination of fossils. It involves identifying and interpreting the remains of plants and animals. Archaeology, by contrast, focuses on human history and prehistory through material remains.

Which of the following is an example of a 'Leaver' or 'Simple Machine' of the first class?

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Correct Answer: A. A pair of scissors

A pair of scissors is a first-class lever because the fulcrum is located between the effort and the load. In second-class levers like a wheelbarrow, the load is in the middle. Third-class levers like tongs have the effort in the middle.

The 'Simon Commission' visited India in 1928 to report on which of the following?

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Correct Answer: B. Constitutional reforms

The Simon Commission was appointed to review the functioning of the Government of India Act 1919 and suggest further constitutional reforms. It was boycotted by Indian leaders because it did not include any Indian members. This led to widespread protests under the slogan 'Simon Go Back'.

The process of 'Nitrogen Fixation' in the soil is primarily carried out by?

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Correct Answer: B. Bacteria

Nitrogen fixation is the process where atmospheric nitrogen is converted into ammonia by certain bacteria like Rhizobium. These bacteria often live in the root nodules of leguminous plants. This process is essential for making nitrogen available to plants for growth.

Which of the following is NOT a member of the SAARC organization?

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Correct Answer: C. Myanmar

Myanmar is not a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). SAARC currently has eight member states, including Afghanistan, which joined in 2007. Other members are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, and Bhutan.

Who was the court poet of Emperor Samudragupta?

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Correct Answer: B. Harishena

Harishena was the court poet of Samudragupta and composed the famous 'Prayag Prashasti' or Allahabad Pillar Inscription. This inscription provides a detailed account of Samudragupta's military conquests. Banabhatta was the court poet of King Harshavardhana.

What is the SI unit of Electrical Conductivity?

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Correct Answer: B. Siemens

Siemens is the SI unit of electrical conductance and conductivity, named after Werner von Siemens. It is the reciprocal of the Ohm, which measures electrical resistance. Conductivity represents the ability of a material to conduct an electric current.

Which of the following mountain ranges separates Europe from Asia?

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Correct Answer: C. The Urals

The Urals is the correct answer to this question. This is an important fact from the General Knowledge and Current Affairs syllabus frequently tested in Indian competitive examinations such as SSC CGL, RRB NTPC, and state-level PSC exams. A thorough understanding of The Urals and related topics will help candidates score well in the GK section. Regular revision of such key facts is highly recommended for exam preparation.

The 'Grand Trunk Road' was originally built by which ruler?

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Correct Answer: B. Sher Shah Suri

Sher Shah Suri rebuilt and extended the ancient route to create the Grand Trunk Road in the 16th century. It connected the eastern parts of the Indian subcontinent with the western regions. Today, it remains one of South Asia's oldest and longest major roads.

What is the term used for the 'Minimum Support Price' (MSP) of crops in India?

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Correct Answer: C. Price floor

The MSP acts as a 'price floor' below which the government will not allow the market price to fall for certain crops. It ensures that farmers get a guaranteed minimum profit for their produce. The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) recommends these prices.

Which vitamin is synthesized in the human body in the presence of sunlight?

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Correct Answer: C. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is synthesized when ultraviolet rays from sunlight hit the skin and trigger its production. It is essential for the absorption of calcium and maintaining strong bones. A deficiency of this vitamin can lead to Rickets in children.

The 'Gandhara School of Art' flourished during the reign of which dynasty?

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Correct Answer: B. Kushanas

The Kushanas were a powerful Central Asian dynasty who ruled parts of northern India and Central Asia in the 1st–3rd centuries CE. The most famous Kushana ruler, Kanishka, was a great patron of Buddhism and helped spread it to Central Asia and China. The Kushanas also played a crucial role in the development of the Silk Road trade between India, China, and Rome.

Which of the following instruments is used to measure 'Relative Humidity'?

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Correct Answer: B. Hygrometer

A hygrometer is used to measure the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere, known as relative humidity. A hydrometer, meanwhile, measures the specific gravity or density of liquids. Pyrometers are used to measure very high temperatures without physical contact.

The 'Purna Swaraj' resolution was passed in which session of the Indian National Congress?

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Correct Answer: C. Lahore Session 1929

The Lahore Session of 1929 was presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru, where the demand for 'Purna Swaraj' (Complete Independence) was adopted. January 26, 1930, was declared as the first Independence Day. This session marked a major shift from the demand for dominion status.

In a bacterial cell, which of the following is responsible for protein synthesis?

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Correct Answer: C. Ribosomes

Ribosomes are the cellular structures responsible for translating genetic information into proteins. They are found in both prokaryotic (bacterial) and eukaryotic cells. Bacterial cells lack membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria or lysosomes.

Which of the following is the highest mountain peak in the Peninsular India?

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Correct Answer: C. Anamudi

Anamudi is the highest peak in the Western Ghats and the entire Peninsular India, located in Kerala. It stands at an elevation of 2,695 meters. Guru Shikhar is the highest peak of the Aravalli Range in Rajasthan.

The 'GNP' (Gross National Product) of a country is calculated by adding which of the following to GDP?

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Correct Answer: C. Net Factor Income from Abroad

GNP is calculated by adding the net factor income earned by citizens from abroad to the GDP and subtracting income earned by foreigners within the country. It represents the total value of goods and services produced by a nation's residents regardless of location. GDP focuses only on production within domestic borders.

The 'Treaty of Seringapatam' was signed after which war?

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Correct Answer: C. Third Anglo-Mysore War

The Treaty of Seringapatam was signed in 1792 between Tipu Sultan and the British East India Company. It concluded the Third Anglo-Mysore War and forced Tipu to cede half of his kingdom. Lord Cornwallis led the British forces during this conflict.

Which organ in the human body is primarily affected by the disease 'Glaucoma'?

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Correct Answer: C. Eyes

Glaucoma is a disease that affects the Eyes, specifically damaging the optic nerve which connects the eye to the brain. It is often caused by abnormally high pressure within the eye. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss and blindness.