SSC CHSL — Set 29

Correct Answer: A. Ratnavali

Ratnavali is a famous Sanskrit drama written by King Harshavardhana of the Pushyabhuti dynasty. He is also credited with writing two other plays, Priyadarshika and Nagananda. Harshacharita, however, was written by his court poet Banabhatta.

Correct Answer: B. Part IV

Part IV of the Indian Constitution contains the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP). These principles are covered from Article 36 to Article 51. They are non-justiciable in nature but are fundamental in the governance of the country.

Correct Answer: C. Odisha

The Tropic of Cancer passes through 8 Indian states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram. It does not pass through Odisha. This imaginary line is located at approximately 23.5 degrees north of the Equator.

Correct Answer: B. Vitamin C

Vitamin C and all B-complex vitamins are water-soluble, meaning they dissolve in water and are not stored in the body. Fat-soluble vitamins include A, D, E, and K. Regular intake of water-soluble vitamins is necessary as they are excreted through urine.

Correct Answer: C. Bahlul Lodi

Bahlul Lodi founded the Lodi Dynasty in 1451 after the fall of the Sayyid Dynasty. It was the last dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. He was succeeded by his son Sikandar Lodi, who founded the city of Agra.

Correct Answer: D. Coulomb

The Coulomb is the SI unit of electric charge, named after Charles-Augustin de Coulomb. One coulomb is the amount of charge transported by a constant current of one ampere in one second. Ampere is the unit for electric current, not charge.

Correct Answer: B. Madurai

The Meenakshi Amman Temple is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. It is dedicated to Meenakshi, a form of Parvati, and her consort, Sundareshwar. The temple is famous for its towering gopurams covered in colorful sculptures.

Correct Answer: B. Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a colorless gas commonly known as laughing gas due to its intoxicating effects when inhaled. It is widely used in dentistry and surgery for its anesthetic and analgesic properties. It is also a significant greenhouse gas.

Correct Answer: B. Tanvi Shah

Tanvi Shah was the first Indian woman to win a Grammy Award in 2010. She shared the award for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album with A.R. Rahman for the song 'Jai Ho'. She is a versatile singer who has performed in several languages.

Correct Answer: B. Narmada

The Narmada River originates from the Amarkantak Plateau in the Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh. It is the largest west-flowing river in India. The river flows through a rift valley between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges.

Correct Answer: A. 42nd Amendment

The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 is called the Mini Constitution because it brought massive changes to the Constitution. It was enacted during the Emergency by the Indira Gandhi government. It added the words 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity' to the Preamble.

Correct Answer: C. Samudragupta

Samudragupta is referred to as the Napoleon of India by historian V.A. Smith because of his great military conquests. He was a great warrior and a patron of art and music. His achievements are recorded in the Prayag Prashasti (Allahabad Pillar) inscription.

Correct Answer: C. Karatmeter

A Karatmeter is a scientific instrument used to accurately measure the purity of gold and other precious metals. It uses X-ray fluorescence technology to provide a non-destructive analysis. The purity of gold is typically expressed in Karats.

Correct Answer: C. Nagaland

The Hornbill Festival is a massive cultural event held every year in Nagaland from December 1 to 10. It is often referred to as the 'Festival of Festivals' and aims to protect the rich tradition of Naga tribes. It is held at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama.

Correct Answer: B. Article 280

Article 280 of the Constitution provides for a Finance Commission to be constituted by the President every five years. Its main role is to recommend the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States. The commission consists of a Chairman and four other members.

Correct Answer: A. Simuka

Simuka was the founder of the Satavahana Dynasty, which ruled in the Deccan region. They were also known as the Andhras in the Puranas. The dynasty is famous for issuing coins made of lead and copper.

Correct Answer: A. 1

Hydrogen is the first element in the periodic table with an atomic number of 1. It is the most abundant chemical substance in the universe. It consists of a single proton and a single electron in its most common isotope.

Correct Answer: B. Football

A volley occurs in football when a player kicks the ball before it hits the ground. A punt is a kick where the goalkeeper drops the ball and kicks it before it reaches the ground. These terms are also used in other sports like tennis and volleyball.

Correct Answer: A. Rajasthan

Rajasthan has the largest area of wasteland in India due to the presence of the Thar Desert. Factors like low rainfall and high evaporation contribute to the formation of wastelands. These lands are often unproductive for agricultural purposes.

Correct Answer: B. Swami Dayananda Saraswati

Swami Dayananda Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj in Bombay in 1875. He gave the famous slogan 'Go Back to the Vedas' and worked for social reforms. He authored the famous book Satyarth Prakash.

Correct Answer: C. Ionosphere

The Ionosphere is a part of the upper atmosphere that contains a high concentration of ions and free electrons. It reflects radio waves back to Earth, enabling long-distance radio communication. This layer overlaps with the mesosphere and thermosphere.

Correct Answer: C. Paleolithic

The Paleolithic period, also known as the Old Stone Age, is the earliest and longest stage of human history. It lasted from about 2.5 million years ago until 10,000 BCE. Humans during this time were primarily hunter-gatherers using primitive stone tools.

Correct Answer: C. Tulsi

Kati Bihu is also known as Kongali Bihu and is celebrated in mid-October. People light a special lamp called 'Saaki' at the foot of the Tulsi plant to pray for a good harvest. It is a more somber festival compared to the other two Bihus.

Correct Answer: B. 600:1

In a healthy human body, the approximate ratio of red blood cells (RBC) to white blood cells (WBC) is 600:1. RBCs are much more numerous as they are responsible for oxygen transport. WBCs are fewer in number because they primarily handle immune responses.

Correct Answer: B. Annie Besant

Annie Besant became the first woman President of the Congress during the Calcutta session in 1917. She was a British socialist and a leading figure in the Home Rule Movement. Sarojini Naidu was the first Indian woman to hold this position.

Correct Answer: B. Nellore

Nellore in Andhra Pradesh is known as the Shrimp Capital of India due to its high production of cultured shrimp. The district has a large number of aquaculture farms exporting to global markets. This industry is a major source of revenue for the state.

Correct Answer: D. Gulf Stream

The Gulf Stream is a powerful, warm ocean current that flows from the Gulf of Mexico into the Atlantic Ocean. It significantly influences the climate of the east coast of North America and Western Europe. The other options are examples of cold currents.

Correct Answer: C. Article 18(1)

Article 18(1) abolishes titles, and the Supreme Court ruled that awards like Bharat Ratna are not titles. However, recipients are prohibited from using them as a prefix or suffix to their names. This ensures the principle of equality as stated in the Constitution.

Correct Answer: A. Afzal Khan

The Battle of Pratapgarh was a landmark encounter between the Maratha king Shivaji and the Bijapur general Afzal Khan. Shivaji famously killed Afzal Khan during a personal meeting using a 'Wagh Nakh' (tiger claw). This victory significantly boosted the morale of the Maratha forces.

Correct Answer: B. IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) regularly publishes the World Economic Outlook report. It provides analysis and projections of global economic developments. The report is a key resource for policymakers and economists worldwide.

Correct Answer: A. Tesla

The Tesla (T) is the SI unit of magnetic field strength, named after inventor Nikola Tesla. One Tesla is defined as one Weber per square meter. It measures the intensity of a magnetic field at a given point.

Correct Answer: B. Abanindranath Tagore

Abanindranath Tagore painted the iconic 'Bharat Mata' in 1905 during the Swadeshi movement. The painting depicts a saffron-clad woman holding a book, sheaves of paddy, a piece of white cloth, and a garland. It became a powerful symbol of Indian nationalism.

Correct Answer: B. Telangana

Telangana became the first state to implement the categorization of Scheduled Castes for reservations in 2025. This followed a Supreme Court ruling allowing states to sub-classify SCs to ensure better distribution of benefits. The move aims to support the most disadvantaged groups within the SC category.

Correct Answer: B. Freon

Freon is a trade name for a group of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used as refrigerants. These gases are effective at absorbing heat but are harmful to the ozone layer. Modern refrigerators now use more eco-friendly alternatives like HFCs.

Correct Answer: A. Dehradun

The Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) is a premier research institute located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. It functions under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The institute focuses on R&D for the petroleum and natural gas sectors.

Correct Answer: B. 42nd Amendment

The Preamble has been amended only once, by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976. It added three new words: Socialist, Secular, and Integrity. This amendment is often discussed for its impact on the basic structure of the Constitution.

Correct Answer: C. Kunchikal Falls

Kunchikal Falls in Karnataka is the highest tiered waterfall in India with a height of about 455 meters. It is formed by the Varahi River. Jog Falls is also in Karnataka but is the highest untiered waterfall.

Correct Answer: B. António Costa

Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa was a chief guest at the 2026 Republic Day parade. He was joined by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Their visit highlighted the strengthening ties between India and the European Union.

Correct Answer: C. Pituitary

The pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, secretes the Growth Hormone (GH). This hormone is vital for childhood growth and maintaining tissues and organs throughout life. Too much GH can lead to gigantism, while too little causes dwarfism.

Correct Answer: B. Madhya Pradesh

The Bhimbetka Rock Shelters are located in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for prehistoric cave paintings. These paintings show the earliest traces of human life on the Indian subcontinent.