SSC CHSL — Set 8
40 questions
Who was the first woman to be awarded the Bharat Ratna?
Correct Answer: B. Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi was the first woman to receive India's highest civilian award in 1971. She served as the first and only female Prime Minister of India. The award recognizes exceptional service of the highest order in any field.
In which year was the Quit India Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi?
Correct Answer: C. 1942
The Quit India Movement was launched at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee in 1942. During this movement, Gandhiji gave the famous slogan 'Do or Die'. It was a major civil disobedience movement aimed at ending British rule.
Which state is the largest producer of rice in India?
Correct Answer: C. West Bengal
West Bengal is the leading producer of rice in India due to its fertile plains and climate. Rice is a staple food crop for a large part of the Indian population. It is primarily grown as a Kharif crop during the monsoon season.
Who is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?
Correct Answer: B. Vice President of India
The Vice President of India holds the position of the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. This provision is mentioned in Article 64 of the Indian Constitution. The Vice President presides over the proceedings of the upper house.
Which of the following is a unit of distance used in astronomy?
Correct Answer: A. Light year
A light year is the distance that light travels in a vacuum in one year. It is used to measure vast distances between stars and galaxies in the universe. One light year is approximately 9.46 trillion kilometers.
The Battle of Plassey was fought in which year?
Correct Answer: A. 1757
The Battle of Plassey was fought in 1757 between the British East India Company and the Nawab of Bengal. Robert Clive led the British forces to victory against Siraj-ud-Daulah. This battle established the foundation of British rule in India.
Which planet is closest to the Sun?
Correct Answer: D. Mercury
Mercury is the smallest and innermost planet in our solar system. It orbits the Sun faster than any other planet, taking only 88 days. Despite being closest to the Sun, it is not the hottest planet.
What is the pH value of pure water?
Correct Answer: B. 7
Pure water has a pH value of 7, which makes it chemically neutral. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with values below 7 indicating acidity and above 7 indicating alkalinity. A pH of 7 means equal concentrations of hydrogen (H⁺) and hydroxide (OH⁻) ions. Pure water's neutral pH of 7 makes it an important reference point on the pH scale.
Who wrote the national anthem of Bangladesh, 'Amar Shonar Bangla'?
Correct Answer: B. Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore wrote the national anthem for both India and Bangladesh. 'Amar Shonar Bangla' was written in 1905 during the partition of Bengal. He is the only person to have written the anthems of two different nations.
Which component of blood is responsible for clotting?
Correct Answer: C. Platelets
Platelets are small cell fragments in the blood that help stop bleeding by forming clots. They gather at the site of an injury to plug the damaged blood vessel. Vitamin K is essential for the process of blood coagulation.
The 'Thomas Cup' is associated with which sport?
Correct Answer: B. Badminton
The Thomas Cup is the world men's team championship in the sport of badminton. It was first held in 1948-1949 and takes place every two years. India won its maiden Thomas Cup title in 2022.
Which Indian state has the highest literacy rate according to Census 2011?
Correct Answer: B. Kerala
Kerala recorded the highest literacy rate in India at 93.91% in the 2011 Census. The state has consistently focused on primary education and social development. Bihar recorded the lowest literacy rate in the same census.
Which fundamental right was described by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as the 'Heart and Soul' of the Constitution?
Correct Answer: C. Right to Constitutional Remedies
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called Article 32 (Right to Constitutional Remedies) the heart and soul of the Constitution. It allows citizens to move the Supreme Court for the enforcement of fundamental rights. Without this right, all other fundamental rights would be meaningless.
What is the chemical formula of Washing Soda?
Correct Answer: B. Na2CO3.10H2O
The chemical formula of washing soda is Na2CO3.10H2O (sodium carbonate decahydrate). Washing soda Na2CO3.10H2O contains 10 molecules of water of crystallization. It is prepared by the Solvay process and widely used for cleaning purposes because Na2CO3.10H2O has strong alkaline properties. Washing soda (Na2CO3.10H2O) is also used in glass, paper, and textile manufacturing.
Who was the first Indian to go into space?
Correct Answer: A. Rakesh Sharma
Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian citizen to travel in space in 1984. He was part of a joint mission between India and the Soviet Union. He spent nearly eight days aboard the Salyut 7 orbital station.
Which city is situated on the banks of the river Yamuna?
Correct Answer: B. Agra
Agra is a major city located on the banks of the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh. The famous Taj Mahal is built on the right bank of this river. Yamuna is the longest tributary of the river Ganges.
What is the full form of 'NITI' in NITI Aayog?
Correct Answer: A. National Institution for Transforming India
NITI stands for National Institution for Transforming India, which replaced the Planning Commission. It was established on January 1, 2015, by the Government of India. It serves as the premier policy 'Think Tank' of the government.
The 'Palk Strait' separates India from which country?
Correct Answer: C. Sri Lanka
The Palk Strait is a strait between the Tamil Nadu state of India and the Mannar district of Sri Lanka. It connects the Bay of Bengal in the northeast with Palk Bay in the southwest. It is named after Robert Palk, a former Governor of Madras.
Which gas is used for ripening green fruits artificially?
Correct Answer: B. Acetylene
Acetylene gas, often generated from calcium carbide, is used to ripen fruits artificially. It mimics the effect of ethylene, which is a natural ripening hormone in plants. However, the use of calcium carbide is restricted due to health concerns.
Who was the first female Governor of an Indian state?
Correct Answer: C. Sarojini Naidu
Sarojini Naidu was appointed as the Governor of the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) in 1947. She was a prominent freedom fighter and a world-renowned poet known as the 'Nightingale of India'. She was also the first Indian woman to be Congress President.
Which of the following is the largest ocean in the world?
Correct Answer: D. Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five oceanic divisions. It covers about one-third of the Earth's total surface area. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south.
What is the SI unit of electric current?
Correct Answer: C. Ampere
The Ampere is the base unit of electric current in the International System of Units. It is named after Andre-Marie Ampere, a French mathematician and physicist. Current is measured using an instrument called an ammeter.
The famous 'Hornbill Festival' is celebrated in which state of India?
Correct Answer: C. Nagaland
The Hornbill Festival is held annually in Nagaland to encourage inter-tribal interaction. It is often called the 'Festival of Festivals' and showcases the traditional music and dance of the Naga tribes. It takes place every year from December 1st to 10th.
Who was the author of the book 'Arthashastra'?
Correct Answer: B. Chanakya
Chanakya, also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, wrote the ancient Indian Sanskrit treatise 'Arthashastra'. It is a comprehensive book on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy. Chanakya was the prime minister of the first Maurya Emperor.
Which part of the Constitution of India deals with 'Citizenship'?
Correct Answer: B. Part II
Part II of the Indian Constitution, comprising Articles 5 to 11, deals with citizenship. It defines who was a citizen at the commencement of the constitution. The Parliament has the power to regulate the right of citizenship by law.
What is the capital of the state of Mizoram?
Correct Answer: C. Aizawl
Aizawl is the capital and largest city of the state of Mizoram. It is located in the north-central part of the state on a ridge at an altitude of 1132 meters. Mizoram became the 23rd state of India in 1987.
Which metal is the best conductor of electricity?
Correct Answer: B. Silver
Silver is the most conductive metal because of its high density of free electrons. However, copper is more commonly used in wiring due to its lower cost. Conductivity is the measure of a material's ability to allow the flow of current.
The 'Gandhara school of art' developed during the reign of which dynasty?
Correct Answer: B. Kushana
The Gandhara school of art flourished primarily during the reign of the Kushana king, Kanishka. It is characterized by the fusion of Indian and Greek styles of sculpture. Most of the Gandhara art pieces depict various scenes from the life of Buddha.
Which of the following layers of the Earth is the thinnest?
Correct Answer: A. Crust
The crust is the outermost and thinnest layer of the Earth. It makes up only about 1% of the Earth's total volume. There are two types of crust: the continental crust and the oceanic crust.
Who was the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest?
Correct Answer: B. Bachendri Pal
Bachendri Pal became the first Indian woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1984. She achieved this feat as part of an Indian expedition team. She was later honored with the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards.
Which vitamin is also known as 'Ascorbic Acid'?
Correct Answer: B. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is chemically known as ascorbic acid and is a water-soluble vitamin. It is vital for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of the body. It also acts as an antioxidant that protects cells from damage.
The 'Rani Jhansi Marine National Park' is located in which state/UT?
Correct Answer: B. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Rani Jhansi Marine National Park is situated in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. It was established in 1996 and consists of coral reefs and mangrove forests. It offers a habitat for diverse marine life including dugongs.
What is the tenure of a member of the Rajya Sabha?
Correct Answer: C. 6 years
Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected for a term of six years. One-third of the members retire every two years, making it a permanent house that never dissolves. This ensures continuity in the legislative process of the upper house.
The 'Durand Cup' is associated with which sport?
Correct Answer: A. Football
The Durand Cup is a prestigious football tournament held annually in India. It is the oldest football tournament in Asia and the third oldest in the world. It was first held in 1888 at Shimla.
Which element is found in liquid state at room temperature?
Correct Answer: B. Mercury
Mercury is the only metallic element that remains liquid at standard room temperature and pressure. It is commonly used in thermometers and barometers because of its high density. Mercury's chemical symbol is Hg, from the Greek word 'Hydrargyrum'.
Who founded the 'Arya Samaj' in 1875?
Correct Answer: A. Swami Dayanand Saraswati
Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj to promote the values of the Vedas. He gave the famous slogan 'Go back to the Vedas' and worked against idol worship. His major literary work is the book 'Satyarth Prakash'.
Which island is known as the 'Pearl of the Orient'?
Correct Answer: B. Goa
Goa is often referred to as the Pearl of the Orient due to its beautiful beaches and scenic landscape. It was a Portuguese colony for over 450 years until it was liberated in 1961. It is the smallest state in India by area.
What is the maximum number of members in the Lok Sabha as per the Constitution?
Correct Answer: C. 552
The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is fixed at 552 members by the Constitution. This includes 530 members from states and 20 from Union Territories. Previously, two members were nominated from the Anglo-Indian community by the President.
Which organ in the human body produces Insulin?
Correct Answer: B. Pancreas
The pancreas is an organ that produces the hormone insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. It also plays a key role in digestion by producing enzymes. Insulin helps the body's cells absorb glucose for energy.
The 'Dronacharya Award' is given to which category of people?
Correct Answer: B. Best Coaches
The Dronacharya Award is given to outstanding coaches in sports and games for their contribution. It is named after Dronacharya, the teacher of the Pandavas and Kauravas in Mahabharata. The award was instituted in 1985 by the Government of India.