SSC CPO — Set 25

Correct Answer: B. Panchayats

Panchayats is the correct answer to this question. This is an important fact from the General Knowledge and Current Affairs syllabus frequently tested in Indian competitive examinations such as SSC CGL, RRB NTPC, and state-level PSC exams. A thorough understanding of Panchayats and related topics will help candidates score well in the GK section. Regular revision of such key facts is highly recommended for exam preparation.

Correct Answer: A. Satyendranath Tagore

Satyendranath Tagore, the elder brother of Rabindranath Tagore, cleared the ICS exam in 1863. He was appointed to the Bombay Presidency cadre after his training in England. He was also a noted author and composer.

Correct Answer: B. Concave mirror

A concave mirror produces an enlarged and erect image when the object is placed very close to it. Dentists use this property to examine small cavities and dental structures clearly. This is a common application of convergent mirrors in medical tools.

Correct Answer: B. Sri Lanka

The Palk Strait is a water body that connects the Bay of Bengal with the Gulf of Mannar. It is located between the Tamil Nadu state of India and the Jaffna District of Sri Lanka. The strait is named after Robert Palk, a former Governor of Madras.

Correct Answer: C. Ibrahim Lodi

Ibrahim Lodi was defeated and killed by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526. His death marked the end of the Delhi Sultanate and the beginning of the Mughal Empire. He was known for his assertive and sometimes arrogant behavior toward his Afghan nobles.

Correct Answer: C. Argon

Argon is an inert gas that does not react with the hot tungsten filament, thus increasing its lifespan. It prevents the filament from evaporating and burning out quickly. Sometimes a small amount of nitrogen is also mixed with argon for the same purpose.

Correct Answer: B. Golf

The Ryder Cup is a biennial men's golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. It is named after Samuel Ryder, a British businessman who donated the trophy. The venue for the tournament alternates between courses in Europe and the USA.

Correct Answer: C. Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir, specifically the Pampore region, is the only place in India where saffron is grown commercially. It is often referred to as 'Red Gold' due to its high market value and labor-intensive harvesting. Saffron cultivation requires a specific type of soil called 'Karewa'.

Correct Answer: D. 3 years

President's Rule under Article 356 can be extended for a maximum of three years with parliamentary approval every six months. Beyond one year, special conditions regarding the Election Commission's certification must be met. It is imposed when the constitutional machinery in a state fails.

Correct Answer: B. B.R. Ambedkar

B.R. Ambedkar wrote this autobiographical work to document his personal experiences with untouchability. The book is used as a textbook in various universities to teach about caste-based discrimination. It provides a poignant look at the social challenges faced by the Dalit community.

Correct Answer: D. Yellow

Yellow is a secondary color of light produced by mixing the primary colors red and green. Other secondary colors of light include cyan (green + blue) and magenta (red + blue). When all three primary colors are mixed, they produce white light.

Correct Answer: B. Uttar Pradesh

Dudhwa National Park is situated in the Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh near the Nepal border. It is home to a significant population of tigers and the rare swamp deer (Barasingha). It represents one of the few remaining examples of Terai ecosystem.

Correct Answer: B. Lord Cornwallis

Lord Cornwallis introduced this system to fix the land revenue to be paid by Zamindars to the British. It aimed to create a class of loyal landlords and provide financial stability to the East India Company. However, it often led to the exploitation of actual cultivators or peasants.

Correct Answer: A. Sodium Carbonate

Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is commonly known as washing soda and is used to soften hard water. It is an essential component in the manufacturing of glass, soap, and paper. It should not be confused with baking soda, which is sodium bicarbonate.

Correct Answer: B. Odisha

Similipal is located in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha and is a major tiger reserve. It derives its name from the abundance of 'Semul' or red silk cotton trees. The reserve is also famous for its waterfalls like Barehipani and Joranda.

Correct Answer: C. Article 21A

Article 21A was added by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002. It makes free and compulsory education a fundamental right for children between 6 and 14 years. This provision reflects the state's commitment to achieving universal elementary education.

Correct Answer: C. 1764

The Battle of Buxar took place in October 1764 between the British East India Company and a combined alliance of Indian rulers. The alliance included Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daula, and Shah Alam II. The British victory established their firm political control over Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.

Correct Answer: B. Cerebellum

The cerebellum is located at the back of the skull and coordinates voluntary movements like balance and speech. It receives information from the sensory systems and the spinal cord to regulate motor movements. Damage to this area can result in lack of coordination and tremors.

Correct Answer: A. Vinoba Bhave

Acharya Vinoba Bhave received the first Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1958 for Community Leadership. He is best known for starting the Bhoodan Movement (Land Gift Movement) in India. He was a non-violence activist and an ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi.

Correct Answer: C. Kyat

The Kyat is the official currency of Myanmar (formerly Burma). It is issued by the Central Bank of Myanmar. One Kyat is divided into 100 pyas, though pyas are rarely used in modern daily transactions.

Correct Answer: B. Mirzapur

IST is based on the longitude 82.5° E, which passes through Mirzapur near Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh. It is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). This single time zone is followed across the entire length and breadth of India.

Correct Answer: D. Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 contains the metal ion cobalt, which is why it is called cobalamin. It is essential for the formation of red blood cells and the proper functioning of the nervous system. This vitamin is primarily found in animal-based foods like meat, eggs, and dairy.

Correct Answer: B. Kanishka

Kanishka, the Kushana emperor, was a great patron of the Gandhara school, which blended Indian and Greek artistic styles. This school is famous for its realistic depictions of Lord Buddha with Greek features. It developed primarily in the northwestern frontiers of ancient India.

Correct Answer: C. Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has the power to issue writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights under Article 32. It can declare any law null and void if it violates the basic structure of these rights. This protective role makes the judiciary the ultimate protector of individual liberties.

Correct Answer: B. Thorium

Monazite is a reddish-brown phosphate mineral that contains rare-earth metals and thorium. Kerala's coastal sands are one of the world's richest sources of this mineral. Thorium is considered a potential fuel for future nuclear power generation in India.

Correct Answer: C. Tungabhadra

Harihara and Bukka founded the Vijayanagara Empire in 1336 on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. The capital city, Hampi, is now a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its grand ruins. The empire reached its peak under the rule of Krishnadevaraya.

Correct Answer: C. 4

Helium has two protons and two neutrons in its nucleus, making its atomic mass approximately 4. It is the second lightest and second most abundant element in the observable universe. Helium is a noble gas and is chemically non-reactive under standard conditions.

Correct Answer: B. Maharashtra

Maharashtra is the correct answer to this question. It is the third-largest state in India and home to Mumbai, the financial capital of India. Maharashtra is known for its historical significance, Maratha heritage, and important role in Indian cinema and culture.

Correct Answer: C. Central Statistical Office

The Central Statistical Office (CSO) is responsible for the coordination of statistical activities and the preparation of National Accounts. It works under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. National income is the total value of final goods and services produced by a country.

Correct Answer: B. Nilgiris

Nilgiris is the correct answer to this question. This is an important fact from the General Knowledge and Current Affairs syllabus frequently tested in Indian competitive examinations such as SSC CGL, RRB NTPC, and state-level PSC exams. A thorough understanding of Nilgiris and related topics will help candidates score well in the GK section. Regular revision of such key facts is highly recommended for exam preparation.

Correct Answer: A. Liquid Sodium

Liquid sodium is often used as a coolant in fast breeder reactors because of its high thermal conductivity. It effectively transfers heat from the reactor core to the steam generators. Other common coolants include heavy water and ordinary water.

Correct Answer: B. B.R. Ambedkar

The Drafting Committee was set up on August 29, 1947, with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as its chairman. This committee was tasked with preparing the final draft of the Indian Constitution. Ambedkar is widely regarded as the 'Chief Architect' of the Indian Constitution.

Correct Answer: A. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development

NABARD was established in 1982 to promote sustainable and equitable agriculture and rural development. It acts as the apex regulatory body for the overall regulation of regional rural banks in India. It also provides credit for the development of rural infrastructure.

Correct Answer: B. Gujarat

Akbar built the Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri in 1601 to celebrate his conquest of Gujarat. It is the highest gateway in the world and serves as an example of Mughal architecture. The structure is built of red and buff sandstone.

Correct Answer: C. Night Blindness

Night blindness is a condition where it is difficult or impossible to see in relatively low light. It is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin A, which is essential for the health of the retina. Eating golden rice or carrots can help prevent this condition.

Correct Answer: A. Mahanadi

Hirakud Dam is one of the longest dams in the world and is located in the state of Odisha. It was the first major multipurpose river valley project started after India's independence. The dam helps in controlling floods in the Mahanadi delta.

Correct Answer: C. Article 29

Article 29 provides that any section of citizens residing in India having a distinct language, script, or culture shall have the right to conserve the same. It protects the cultural and educational rights of both religious and linguistic minorities. This is a crucial fundamental right in a diverse country.

Correct Answer: B. Sarojini Naidu

Sarojini Naidu presided over the Kanpur session of the Congress in 1925. She was a renowned poet known as the 'Nightingale of India'. She later became the first woman to serve as the Governor of an Indian state (Uttar Pradesh).

Correct Answer: B. Calcium Hypochlorite

Calcium hypochlorite (Ca(ClO)2) is the main active ingredient in commercial bleaching powder. It is used extensively for water treatment and as a bleaching agent in the textile and paper industries. It has a strong smell of chlorine due to its chemical composition.

Correct Answer: C. Kerala

Periyar National Park is situated in the high ranges of the Western Ghats in Kerala. It is an important tiger and elephant reserve and is centered around the artificial Periyar Lake. The park is a major attraction for eco-tourism in South India.