SSC CGL — Set 15

Correct Answer: B. Articles 20 and 21

Articles 20 and 21 remain enforceable even when an emergency is declared under Article 352. Article 20 deals with protection in respect of conviction for offences, while Article 21 protects life and personal liberty. This safeguard was strengthened by the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act.

Correct Answer: B. Temple entry for lower castes

The Vaikom Satyagraha was a movement in Travancore against untouchability and for temple entry. It was the first organized movement in Kerala for the rights of the depressed classes. Leaders like K. Kelappan and T.K. Madhavan played a crucial role in its success.

Correct Answer: C. Gujarat

Gujarat has the longest coastline in India, stretching over 1,600 kilometers. This coast is characterized by many gulfs and tidal flats. The total length of the Indian coastline, including islands, is approximately 7,516 kilometers.

Correct Answer: D. Methane

Methane makes up about 50 to 75 percent of biogas and over 90 percent of natural gas. It is a clean-burning fuel that produces less carbon dioxide compared to other fossil fuels. Methane is also a potent greenhouse gas when released directly into the atmosphere.

Correct Answer: B. Fisheries development

The Blue Revolution focuses on the rapid increase in fish production and the modernization of fisheries. It was launched during the Seventh Five Year Plan in India. This initiative aims to improve the economic condition of fishers and increase export earnings.

Correct Answer: D. Ustad Zakir Hussain - Sarod

Ustad Zakir Hussain is a world-renowned Tabla player, not a Sarod player. Amjad Ali Khan is one of the most famous masters of the Sarod. Mastery of classical instruments is a key part of India's cultural heritage.

Correct Answer: B. 11.2 km/s

Escape velocity is the minimum speed needed for an object to break free from Earth's gravitational pull. For Earth, this value is approximately 11.2 kilometers per second. It does not depend on the mass of the escaping object.

Correct Answer: A. Simuka

Simuka established the Satavahana dynasty after the decline of the Mauryan Empire. They ruled primarily in the Deccan region and the present-day states of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. The Satavahanas were the first native Indian kings to issue coins with their portraits.

Correct Answer: C. Vitamin C

Scurvy results from a severe lack of Vitamin C, leading to bleeding gums and skin spots. Vitamin C is essential for the synthesis of collagen in the human body. Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges are excellent sources to prevent this condition.

Correct Answer: C. Odisha

The Tropic of Cancer passes through eight Indian states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram. It is an imaginary line located at 23.5 degrees north of the Equator. Odisha lies entirely to the south of this line.

Correct Answer: B. Mahatma Gandhi

The Belgaum session was the only Congress session presided over by Mahatma Gandhi. It focused on the unity between the Swarajists and the No-Changers within the party. This session marked Gandhi's active return to politics after his release from prison.

Correct Answer: B. Part III

Part III contains the Fundamental Rights from Articles 12 to 35. It is called the Magna Carta because it provides comprehensive and justifiable rights to citizens. These rights act as a check on the arbitrary power of the state.

Correct Answer: A. Wetlands

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. It was signed in the city of Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. Wetlands are vital for biodiversity and act as natural water purifiers.

Correct Answer: C. Calcium Oxide

Quick lime is chemically known as Calcium Oxide (CaO). It is obtained by the thermal decomposition of limestone in a lime kiln. When water is added to it, it turns into slaked lime or calcium hydroxide.

Correct Answer: C. Income inequality

The Lorenz Curve graphically represents the distribution of income or wealth within a population. The further the curve is from the line of perfect equality, the greater the inequality. The Gini Coefficient is derived from this curve to quantify the inequality.

Correct Answer: C. Liver

The liver is the largest internal organ and the largest gland in humans. It performs hundreds of functions, including detoxification and bile production. It also stores glycogen and vitamins for the body's use.

Correct Answer: C. Gujarat

Dandiya Raas is a traditional folk dance performed during the festival of Navratri in Gujarat. It is played with wooden sticks called Dandiyas, representing a mock fight between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura. This dance is popular across India and among the global diaspora.

Correct Answer: C. 1576

The Battle of Haldighati was fought in 1576 between the forces of Maharana Pratap and the Mughal Emperor Akbar. The Mughal army was led by Raja Man Singh of Amber. Despite the tactical Mughal victory, Maharana Pratap continued his resistance from the hills.

Correct Answer: C. Ionosphere

The Ionosphere contains ionized particles that allow for long-distance radio communication by reflecting signals. It is part of the Thermosphere and extends up to several hundred kilometers. Without this layer, radio signals would simply escape into space.

Correct Answer: D. Gujarat

Lothal was a prominent port city of the Harappan civilization located in the Bhal region of Gujarat. It features the world's earliest known dock, which connected the city to the Sabarmati River. The site provides evidence of extensive maritime trade with Mesopotamia.

Correct Answer: B. Dioptre

The unit of measurement for the power of a lens is the Dioptre (D). A lens with a focal length of 1 metre has a power of 1 Dioptre. Convex lenses have positive dioptre values while concave lenses have negative values.

Correct Answer: B. Article 108

Article 108 of the Indian Constitution provides for a Joint Sitting of both Houses of Parliament to resolve deadlocks. A joint sitting is convened by the President when one House passes a bill but the other House rejects or delays it. Article 108 sittings are presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and cannot be used for Money Bills or Constitutional Amendment Bills.

Correct Answer: A. Dadabhai Naoroji

Dadabhai Naoroji, known as the 'Grand Old Man of India', was elected to the British Parliament in 1892. He was a founding member of the Indian National Congress. He is famous for his 'Drain of Wealth' theory regarding British rule.

Correct Answer: D. Hydrogen

Hydrogen has the highest energy content per unit mass among all fuels. Its calorific value is approximately 150,000 kJ/kg. While highly efficient, its storage and transportation remain significant technological challenges.

Correct Answer: C. Kerala

Silent Valley is located in the Nilgiri Hills of Palakkad district in Kerala. It is famous for its unique tropical evergreen rain forests. The park is home to the rare and endangered Lion-tailed Macaque.

Correct Answer: B. 78%

Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere, making up nearly 78 percent. Oxygen follows at approximately 21 percent. Nitrogen is essential for all living organisms as it is a key component of proteins and DNA.

Correct Answer: B. Megasthenes

Megasthenes was a Greek ambassador sent by Seleucus Nicator to the court of Chandragupta Maurya. His book 'Indica' provides a detailed account of the Mauryan administration and society. Although the original book is lost, fragments survive in the works of later writers.

Correct Answer: C. Ozone

Secondary pollutants are not emitted directly but form in the air when primary pollutants react. Ground-level ozone is formed by the reaction of sunlight with nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. It is a major component of photochemical smog.

Correct Answer: C. 1949

The RBI was established in 1935 but remained a private shareholder's bank initially. It was nationalized in 1949 to better align its activities with the government's economic policies. Since then, it has functioned as the central bank and monetary authority of India.

Correct Answer: B. Mycology

Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi, including mushrooms and yeasts. Phycology is the study of algae, while cytology deals with cell structure. Fungi play a critical role as decomposers in most ecosystems.

Correct Answer: C. Akbar

Akbar introduced the Mansabdari system to organize the nobility and the military. Every officer was assigned a rank (Mansab) which determined their status and salary. This system was the backbone of the Mughal administrative and military structure.

Correct Answer: B. Gujarat

Buland Darwaza, or the 'Gate of Magnificence', is the main entrance to the mosque complex at Fatehpur Sikri. It was built in 1601 to celebrate Akbar's successful conquest of Gujarat. It is the highest gateway in the world.

Correct Answer: D. C-waves

Seismic waves are categorized into body waves (P and S) and surface waves (L and R). P-waves are fastest and travel through solids and liquids, while S-waves only travel through solids. There is no such category as C-waves in seismology.

Correct Answer: C. 552

The Constitution sets a maximum limit of 552 members for the Lok Sabha. This includes 530 from states, 20 from UTs, and 2 nominated Anglo-Indians (now discontinued). Current effective strength is lower than this maximum limit.

Correct Answer: B. Concave Mirror

A concave mirror produces a virtual, erect, and magnified image when the object is placed close to it. This allows dentists to see small cavities or details more clearly. These mirrors are also used in shaving mirrors and solar furnaces.

Correct Answer: C. International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the UN and is located in The Hague, Netherlands. It settles legal disputes between states and gives advisory opinions. Unlike other UN organs, it is not located in New York.

Correct Answer: C. Karnam Malleswari

Karnam Malleswari won a bronze medal in weightlifting at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. She competed in the 69 kg category and made history for Indian sportswomen. Her achievement paved the way for future female Olympic medalists from India.

Correct Answer: B. Bauxite

Bauxite is the primary source of aluminum worldwide. It is a sedimentary rock with a relatively high aluminum content. Hematite and magnetite are major ores of iron, while cinnabar is an ore of mercury.

Correct Answer: C. Shah Jahan

Shah Jahan built the Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) within the Agra Fort complex. It is known for its pristine white marble architecture and symmetrical design. There is another Moti Masjid in the Red Fort of Delhi built by Aurangzeb.

Correct Answer: B. Bombay Stock Exchange

The Bombay Stock Exchange is the oldest stock exchange in Asia, established in 1875. It is located on Dalal Street in Mumbai. Sensex is the benchmark index of the BSE, tracking 30 well-established companies.