SSC CGL — Set 13

Correct Answer: B. Article 3

Article 3 allows the Parliament to form new states and alter the areas of existing states. It also permits the changing of names or boundaries of any state. Such a bill requires the prior recommendation of the President.

Correct Answer: D. Methane

Methane constitutes about 70 to 90 percent of natural gas. It is the simplest hydrocarbon with the chemical formula CH4. It is an odorless and colorless gas used as a clean-burning fuel.

Correct Answer: B. Akbar

Akbar was the reigning Mughal Emperor when the British East India Company was formed in London. However, the first English factory in India was established later during Jahangir's reign. Akbar's reign lasted from 1556 to 1605.

Correct Answer: B. Higher Education

The Yashpal Committee was formed to suggest reforms in the higher education system in India. It recommended the creation of a single regulatory body for all higher education. The report focused on reducing the burden of exams and fostering multidisciplinary learning.

Correct Answer: C. Platelets

Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, play a crucial role in the coagulation of blood. They help stop bleeding by clumping and forming plugs in blood vessel injuries. A low platelet count can lead to excessive bleeding risks.

Correct Answer: A. Lala Hardayal

Lala Hardayal was the key figure and founding general secretary of the Ghadar Party. The party aimed to liberate India from British rule through armed revolution. Sohan Singh Bhakna served as its first president.

Correct Answer: B. Chenab

The Baglihar Dam is a run-of-the-river power project on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. It was a subject of dispute between India and Pakistan regarding water sharing. The World Bank eventually cleared the project after technical reviews.

Correct Answer: B. Refraction

Refraction occurs due to the change in the speed of light as it enters a different medium. The light bends toward or away from the normal based on the optical density of the medium. It is the reason why a straw looks bent in a glass of water.

Correct Answer: B. Wetlands

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. It was signed in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. India currently has numerous designated Ramsar sites across the country.

Correct Answer: B. Right to Property

The Right to Property was removed from the list of Fundamental Rights by the 44th Amendment Act. It is now a legal right under Article 300A of the Constitution. This change was made to facilitate land reforms and infrastructure projects.

Correct Answer: B. Cuttack

The Central Rice Research Institute is located in Cuttack, Odisha. It was established in 1946 to conduct basic and applied research on rice production. It plays a vital role in ensuring food security through high-yield variety developments.

Correct Answer: C. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar wrote 'Waiting for a Visa' as an autobiographical life sketch. The book highlights his personal experiences with untouchability and social discrimination. It is often used as a textbook for understanding caste issues in India.

Correct Answer: B. -273.15°C

Absolute zero is the lowest possible temperature where all molecular motion ceases. It is defined as 0 Kelvin or exactly -273.15 degrees Celsius. Achieving this temperature is practically impossible according to the laws of thermodynamics.

Correct Answer: D. Mercury

Mercury has the shortest orbital period of all the planets in the solar system. It takes approximately 88 Earth days to complete one revolution around the Sun. This speed is due to its proximity to the Sun and high gravitational pull.

Correct Answer: C. Income Inequality

The Lorenz curve graphically represents the distribution of income or wealth within a population. The Gini coefficient is derived from this curve to provide a numerical measure of inequality. A perfectly straight diagonal line represents perfect equality.

Correct Answer: C. Gujarat

Gujarat has the longest coastline in India, extending over 1,600 kilometers. It is followed by Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The long coastline contributes significantly to the state's maritime trade and fishing industry.

Correct Answer: B. Thiamine

The chemical name for Vitamin B1 is Thiamine. Its deficiency leads to the disease known as Beriberi. It is essential for glucose metabolism and maintaining proper nerve function.

Correct Answer: A. Atmaram Pandurang

Atmaram Pandurang founded the Prarthana Samaj in Bombay in 1867. The movement aimed at social reform and the propagation of monotheism. Mahadev Govind Ranade was another prominent leader who joined the society later.

Correct Answer: C. Hydrogen

Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant chemical element in the universe. It has an atomic number of 1 and consists of a single proton and electron. It is highly flammable and used as a fuel in space rockets.

Correct Answer: B. One-horned Rhinoceros

Kaziranga National Park in Assam is home to two-thirds of the world's population of one-horned rhinoceroses. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its high density of tigers as well. The park is situated on the banks of the Brahmaputra River.

Correct Answer: A. Part IX

Part IX of the Constitution was added by the 73rd Amendment Act of 1992. It contains Articles 243 to 243O regarding the three-tier Panchayati Raj system. This amendment gave constitutional status to rural local self-government.

Correct Answer: C. Hertz

Hertz is the SI unit of frequency, defined as one cycle per second. It is named after the physicist Heinrich Hertz who proved the existence of electromagnetic waves. It is commonly used to measure sound pitch and radio frequencies.

Correct Answer: A. Dadabhai Naoroji

Dadabhai Naoroji, known as the 'Grand Old Man of India', was elected to the British Parliament in 1892. He represented the Liberal Party for the Finsbury Central constituency. He was the first to calculate the national income of India.

Correct Answer: B. Pancreas

The pancreas produces insulin within the specialized cells called the Islets of Langerhans. Insulin regulates the blood sugar levels by helping glucose enter cells for energy. A lack of insulin production leads to Diabetes Mellitus.

Correct Answer: C. Pakistan and Afghanistan

The Durand Line was established in 1893 as the boundary between British India and Afghanistan. Today, it serves as the international border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It remains a point of geopolitical tension in the region.

Correct Answer: A. Mars

Mars is called the Red Planet because of the iron oxide (rust) on its surface. It has two moons, Phobos and Deimos, and a very thin atmosphere. It is the fourth planet from the Sun in our solar system.

Correct Answer: B. D2O

The chemical formula of Heavy Water is D2O (deuterium oxide), where D represents deuterium atoms instead of regular hydrogen. D2O is formed when both hydrogen atoms in a water molecule are replaced by deuterium (D), an isotope with one proton and one neutron. Heavy water D2O is used as a moderator in CANDU nuclear reactors because it slows neutrons. D2O is about 10.6% denser than ordinary H2O water.

Correct Answer: B. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Sardar Patel led the non-violent protest in Bardoli against the unjust increase in land revenue. The success of this movement earned him the title 'Sardar' from the women of Bardoli. It became a model for later peasant struggles in India.

Correct Answer: B. Tamil Nadu

Kudankulam is the highest-capacity nuclear power station in India, located in Tamil Nadu. It was built with technical collaboration from Russia. The plant utilizes pressurized water reactors for power generation.

Correct Answer: C. Yen

The Japanese Yen is the official currency of Japan and a major reserve currency. It is the third most traded currency in the foreign exchange market. The symbol used for the Yen is ¥.

Correct Answer: B. Sodium

Sodium is an alkali metal that reacts vigorously with water and air. To prevent accidental reactions, it is kept submerged in kerosene oil. It is soft enough to be cut with a knife and has a silvery appearance.

Correct Answer: B. Sarojini Naidu

Sarojini Naidu served as the Governor of the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) from 1947 to 1949. She was known as the 'Nightingale of India' for her poetry. She was also the first Indian woman to preside over a Congress session.

Correct Answer: B. Africa

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. It is a dormant volcano located in Tanzania. It is famous for its snow-capped peak despite being near the equator.

Correct Answer: B. Sodium Chloride

Common table salt is chemically known as Sodium Chloride (NaCl). It is an ionic compound essential for many biological functions in humans. Most commercial table salt is iodized to prevent iodine deficiency.

Correct Answer: B. Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen

Wilhelm Roentgen was awarded the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901 for his discovery of X-rays. This discovery revolutionized medical diagnosis and material science. X-rays are also known as 'Roentgen rays' in several languages.

Correct Answer: B. Luni

The Luni River is an endorheic river that does not drain into the sea. It originates in the Aravalli Range and ends in the marshy lands of the Rann of Kutch. It is the only major river in western Rajasthan.

Correct Answer: C. 7.4

The pH of human blood is slightly basic, typically ranging between 7.35 and 7.45. Maintaining this narrow pH range is critical for survival and proper enzymatic function. The body uses buffer systems to prevent blood from becoming too acidic or basic.

Correct Answer: B. 1928

The Simon Commission was appointed in 1927 and arrived in India in 1928. It was boycotted by Indians because it contained no Indian members. The protests against it led to the tragic death of Lala Lajpat Rai.

Correct Answer: D. Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is the only Indian state that produces saffron, primarily in the Pampore region. Saffron is often referred to as 'Red Gold' due to its high price and labor-intensive harvesting. It is used as a spice and in traditional medicine.

Correct Answer: A. 6 months

Under Article 356, the President's Rule is initially approved for six months. It can be extended for a maximum period of three years with periodic parliamentary approval every six months. It is imposed when the constitutional machinery in a state fails.