SSC CGL — Set 16

Correct Answer: A. Nanda Dynasty

The Nanda Dynasty, led by Dhana Nanda, ruled Magadha when Alexander reached the Beas River in 326 BC. His soldiers refused to advance further due to the legendary strength of the Nanda army. Shortly after Alexander's retreat, Chandragupta Maurya overthrew the Nandas to establish the Maurya Empire.

Correct Answer: B. Tyndall Effect

The Tyndall Effect is the scattering of a light beam as it passes through a colloid or a fine suspension. This makes the path of light visible, such as sunlight filtering through dust in a dark room. It is used to distinguish between a true solution and a colloidal solution.

Correct Answer: C. Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh, specifically the Nellore district, is the leading producer of mica in India. Mica is highly valued in the electrical and electronics industry due to its excellent insulating properties. India was historically the monopoly supplier of sheet mica to the global market.

Correct Answer: C. Article 72

Article 72 gives the President the power to grant pardons, reprieves, or remissions of punishment in certain cases. This includes cases where the punishment is by a Court Martial or involves a death sentence. The Governor of a state has similar powers under Article 161 of the Constitution.

Correct Answer: A. 1526

The First Battle of Panipat was fought between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi in April 1526. Babur's victory marked the end of the Lodi Dynasty and the beginning of Mughal rule in India. It was one of the earliest battles in India involving gunpowder firearms and field artillery.

Correct Answer: C. Sublimation

Sublimation occurs when the vapor pressure of a substance is high enough at a temperature below its melting point. Common examples include dry ice (solid CO2), naphthalene balls, and camphor. This endothermic phase transition bypasses the intermediate liquid phase entirely.

Correct Answer: C. Income inequality

The Lorenz Curve is a graphical representation used to show the distribution of income or wealth within a population. The closer the curve is to the line of perfect equality, the more equal the distribution. It is often summarized numerically using the Gini Coefficient.

Correct Answer: B. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was elected as the President of the UN General Assembly in 1953. She was an eminent Indian diplomat and the sister of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. She also served as India's ambassador to several major nations during her career.

Correct Answer: C. Godavari

The Godavari is the largest river in Peninsular India and is called 'Dakshina Ganga' due to its size and spiritual significance. It originates from Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra and flows eastward into the Bay of Bengal. It forms one of the largest river basins in the Indian subcontinent.

Correct Answer: C. Heartbeat

The heartbeat is controlled by the autonomic nervous system and cardiac muscles, which function without conscious thought. Involuntary muscles like the smooth muscles in the digestive tract also work automatically. Voluntary muscles, such as skeletal muscles, are used for tasks like walking and writing.

Correct Answer: A. Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Gopal Krishna Gokhale founded the society in 1905 to train Indians for social service and national causes. The members took vows of poverty and worked to improve education and healthcare. Gokhale was known as the political mentor of Mahatma Gandhi.

Correct Answer: C. Part XVII

Part XVII of the Constitution covers Articles 343 to 351, which detail the official language of the Union and states. Article 343(1) states that the official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagari script. It also includes provisions for the languages of the Supreme Court and High Courts.

Correct Answer: B. Mercury poisoning

Minamata disease is a neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning, first discovered in Japan. It results from consuming fish contaminated with methylmercury released in industrial wastewater. Symptoms include numbness in hands, muscle weakness, and damage to hearing and speech.

Correct Answer: C. Ashoka Chakra

The Ashoka Chakra is the highest peacetime military decoration for valor, courageous action, or self-sacrifice. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra, which is awarded for bravery during war. It can be awarded to both military personnel and civilians.

Correct Answer: C. Chagatai Turkic

Babur wrote his autobiography in his native language, Chagatai Turkic, which was the spoken language of the Timurids. It was later translated into Persian during the reign of Akbar by Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khana. The book provides a detailed account of the flora, fauna, and geography of India.

Correct Answer: C. Newton's Third Law

Newton's Third Law explains that forces always exist in pairs; if object A exerts a force on object B, B exerts an equal force back. This principle is fundamental to the propulsion of rockets and the recoil of a gun. It applies to all interactions in the physical universe.

Correct Answer: B. Lahore Session 1929

The Lahore Session was presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru, where the demand for complete independence was officially adopted. January 26, 1930, was declared as the first Independence Day following this resolution. The tricolor flag was hoisted for the first time on the banks of the Ravi River.

Correct Answer: B. Paleontology

Paleontology is the scientific study of life that existed prior to the current Holocene Epoch through the analysis of fossils. It helps scientists understand the evolution of plants and animals over millions of years. This field combines aspects of biology, geology, and archaeology.

Correct Answer: C. Venus

Venus is the brightest planet because its thick clouds of sulfuric acid reflect about 70 percent of the sunlight that reaches it. It is often visible in the early morning or late evening, earning it the names Morning Star and Evening Star. After the Sun and the Moon, it is the brightest natural object in the sky.

Correct Answer: C. Tenth Schedule

The Tenth Schedule was added by the 52nd Amendment Act of 1985 to prevent political defections. It sets the conditions under which members of Parliament or State Legislatures can be disqualified. This was a major step toward ensuring stability in the parliamentary system.

Correct Answer: C. Vitamin B3

Vitamin B3, or Niacin, is essential for converting food into energy and maintaining skin and nerve health. A severe deficiency of Niacin leads to a disease called Pellagra, characterized by dermatitis and dementia. It is found in foods like yeast, meat, fish, and whole grains.

Correct Answer: A. Simuka

Simuka established the Satavahana dynasty after the decline of the Mauryan Empire in the Deccan region. The Satavahanas are famous for being the first Indian kings to issue coins with their portraits. They were successors to the Mauryas in the Deccan and ruled for several centuries.

Correct Answer: B. Bauxite

Bauxite is the primary ore from which aluminum is commercially extracted through the Bayer process. It is a sedimentary rock with a relatively high aluminum content, usually found in tropical regions. Odisha is the leading producer of bauxite in India.

Correct Answer: B. Narmada

The Statue of Unity, depicting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, is situated on the Sadhu Bet island in the Narmada River. At 182 meters, it is currently the world's tallest statue and a major landmark in Gujarat. It faces the Sardar Sarovar Dam, symbolizing the unity and integration of India.

Correct Answer: C. Akbar

Akbar abolished the Jizya tax as part of his policy of religious tolerance and universal peace (Sulh-i-kul). This move helped him win the loyalty of his Hindu subjects and consolidate the empire. However, the tax was later reintroduced by Aurangzeb in 1679.

Correct Answer: B. Total Internal Reflection

Optical fibers use Total Internal Reflection to transmit light signals over long distances with minimal loss. The light reflects off the inner walls of the fiber core because the core has a higher refractive index than the cladding. This technology is the backbone of modern high-speed internet and telecommunications.

Correct Answer: C. National Statistical Office

The National Statistical Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, is responsible for GDP calculation. It collects data across various sectors to estimate the total value of goods and services produced. This data is crucial for government planning and economic policy formulation.

Correct Answer: A. Assam and Gujarat

The East-West Corridor connects Silchar in Assam to Porbandar (Saurashtra region) in Gujarat. It is part of the Golden Quadrilateral project managed by the National Highways Authority of India. This corridor is essential for facilitating cross-country trade and transportation across India.

Correct Answer: C. Iris

The iris is a thin, circular structure in the eye that adjusts the size of the pupil to regulate light entry. In bright light, the iris constricts the pupil, while in low light, it dilates to allow more light. This pigment-rich structure is also responsible for the unique color of an individual's eyes.

Correct Answer: B. Kalidasa

Kalidasa is considered the greatest poet and dramatist of the Sanskrit language during the Gupta period. 'Abhigyan Shakuntalam' tells the story of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala and is recognized as a masterpiece of world literature. His works are known for their beautiful imagery and emotional depth.

Correct Answer: C. 61st Amendment

The 61st Amendment Act of 1988 amended Article 326 of the Constitution to broaden the democratic base. It was implemented to give the youth of India an opportunity to participate in the political process. This change took effect for the general elections held in 1989.

Correct Answer: C. Pascal

The Pascal (Pa) is defined as one Newton of force per square meter of area. It is named after the French scientist Blaise Pascal for his contributions to hydrostatics and hydrodynamics. Standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is approximately 101,325 Pascals.

Correct Answer: B. Zoji La Pass

Zoji La Pass is a high mountain pass in the Himalayas that serves as a vital link between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh. It is located on National Highway 1 and remains closed during peak winter due to heavy snowfall. The Zoji La tunnel project aims to provide all-weather connectivity to the region.

Correct Answer: B. Lord Canning

Lord Canning was the Governor-General during the uprising and later became the first Viceroy of India under the Government of India Act 1858. He is credited with restoring order and the policy of clemency after the revolt. His tenure marked the end of the East India Company's rule in India.

Correct Answer: B. Bleaching Powder

Bleaching powder is widely used for disinfecting drinking water and in the textile industry for whitening fabrics. It is produced by the action of chlorine gas on dry slaked lime. Its chemical formula is Ca(ClO)2 and it has a strong smell of chlorine.

Correct Answer: B. Krishna I

Krishna I commissioned this monolithic structure, which is carved out of a single rock from top to bottom. It is a remarkable example of Dravidian architecture and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is part of the Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Maharashtra.

Correct Answer: C. Customs Duty

Customs Duty is a tax levied on goods imported into or exported out of India and remains outside the scope of GST. Most other indirect taxes, like Central Excise and State VAT, were merged into GST in 2017. Basic Customs Duty is still governed by the Customs Act of 1962.

Correct Answer: B. Mercury

Mercury is the only metallic element that remains liquid at standard conditions for temperature and pressure. It has a very high surface tension and is used in thermometers because of its uniform thermal expansion. While Bromine is also liquid at room temperature, it is a non-metal.

Correct Answer: B. Abhinav Bindra

Abhinav Bindra won the gold medal in the 10m Air Rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This was India's first-ever individual Olympic gold medal, a historic milestone for the country. Neeraj Chopra later became the second Indian to achieve this feat at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Correct Answer: C. Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide acts as an extinguishing agent by displacing oxygen and smothering the fire. Since it is denser than air, it settles over the flames and prevents fresh oxygen from reaching the fuel. It is effective for electrical fires as it is non-conductive and leaves no residue.