SSC CPO — Set 3

Correct Answer: B. Article 17

Article 17 specifically prohibits the practice of untouchability in any form. It is a fundamental right aimed at promoting social equality among citizens. This article is unique because it is enforceable against private individuals as well.

Correct Answer: A. 1757

The Battle of Plassey took place on June 23, 1757, marking the beginning of British rule. It was fought between the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah, and the British East India Company led by Robert Clive. The British victory was secured primarily due to the treachery of Mir Jafar.

Correct Answer: C. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is chemically known as ascorbic acid and is water-soluble. It is essential for the repair of body tissues and the enzymatic production of certain neurotransmitters. Scurvy is the primary deficiency disease caused by a lack of this vitamin.

Correct Answer: B. North-Western India

The Loo is a strong, dusty, gusty, hot, and dry summer wind from the west. It blows over the Indo-Gangetic Plain region of North-Western India and Pakistan. Exposure to these winds can lead to fatal heatstrokes due to extremely high temperatures.

Correct Answer: C. Warren Hastings

Warren Hastings became the first Governor-General of Bengal following the Regulating Act of 1773. He abolished the dual system of government established by Robert Clive. He also founded the Calcutta Madrasa for the study of Islamic law and Arabic.

Correct Answer: B. Barometer

A barometer is a scientific instrument used to measure air pressure in a certain environment. Mercury barometers and aneroid barometers are the two most common types used today. A sudden drop in barometric pressure usually indicates an approaching storm.

Correct Answer: C. Coaches

The Dronacharya Award is presented to coaches for their outstanding and meritorious work on a consistent basis. It was instituted in 1985 by the Government of India. The award carries a bronze statue of Dronacharya, a certificate, and a cash prize.

Correct Answer: D. Ampere

The Ampere is the base unit of electric current in the International System of Units. It is named after André-Marie Ampère, a French physicist and mathematician. One ampere represents a flow of one coulomb of charge per second.

Correct Answer: B. Chandragupta Maurya

Chandragupta Maurya founded the Maurya Empire in 322 BCE after defeating the Nanda dynasty. He was guided by his mentor Chanakya, also known as Kautilya. By the end of his reign, he abdicated the throne and became a Jain monk.

Correct Answer: B. Nitrogen

Nitrogen makes up approximately 78% of the Earth's atmosphere by volume. It is a colorless and odorless gas that is essential for life as a component of amino acids. Oxygen is the second most abundant gas, comprising about 21% of the atmosphere.

Correct Answer: A. Mahanadi

Hirakud Dam is located in the state of Odisha and is built across the Mahanadi River. It is one of the longest earthen dams in the world. The project was the first major multipurpose river valley project started after India's independence.

Correct Answer: C. Part IV-A

Part IV-A of the Constitution contains Article 51A, which lists the Fundamental Duties of citizens. These duties were added by the 42nd Amendment Act in 1976 based on the Swaran Singh Committee recommendations. Originally there were ten duties, and the eleventh was added later in 2002.

Correct Answer: D. Rice

Rice is a major Kharif crop that requires high temperature and high humidity with heavy rainfall. Kharif crops are sown at the beginning of the monsoon season and harvested in autumn. Other examples of Kharif crops include maize, bajra, and cotton.

Correct Answer: C. Iodine

Goitre is the abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland due to a lack of iodine in the diet. Iodine is necessary for the production of thyroid hormones like thyroxine. Using iodized salt is a common way to prevent this deficiency worldwide.

Correct Answer: B. Jawaharlal Nehru

Jawaharlal Nehru wrote 'The Discovery of India' during his imprisonment at Ahmednagar Fort. The book provides a deep analysis of Indian history, philosophy, and culture. Nehru served as the first Prime Minister of independent India.

Correct Answer: C. Mumbai

The RBI headquarters was originally established in Kolkata but was permanently moved to Mumbai in 1937. It is the central bank of India and regulates the entire banking system. The RBI was established on April 1, 1935, under the RBI Act.

Correct Answer: D. Mars

Mars is often called the Red Planet because of the iron oxide prevalent on its surface, which gives it a reddish appearance. It is the fourth planet from the Sun and has two moons, Phobos and Deimos. It has a thin atmosphere composed mostly of carbon dioxide.

Correct Answer: C. 1942

The Quit India Movement was launched in 1942 by Mahatma Gandhi at the All India Congress Committee session in Bombay on August 8, 1942. The movement demanded immediate end to British rule in India with the slogan 'Do or Die' (Karo ya Maro). The 1942 Quit India Movement led to the arrest of all major Congress leaders including Gandhi, Nehru, and Patel. Despite heavy repression, the 1942 movement shook British confidence in India.

Correct Answer: C. Cell

The cell is the basic structural, functional, and biological unit of all known living organisms. Robert Hooke was the first to discover and name cells in 1665. Cells can be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic based on their structure.

Correct Answer: B. Annie Besant

Annie Besant presided over the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress in 1917. She was a prominent British socialist and supporter of Indian self-rule. Sarojini Naidu later became the first Indian woman to hold this position.

Correct Answer: B. Sodium Chloride

Sodium Chloride (NaCl) is the chemical name for the salt we use in our daily food. It is an ionic compound consisting of a 1:1 ratio of sodium and chloride ions. It is primarily obtained by the evaporation of seawater or from rock salt mines.

Correct Answer: B. USA

The concept of a Preamble in the Indian Constitution was borrowed from the USA. India's Preamble, like the USA's Constitution, declares the fundamental values, purposes, and principles of the State. The idea of having a Preamble was inspired by the American constitutional tradition, where the Preamble of the US Constitution begins with 'We the People'. Similarly, India's Preamble also begins with 'We, the People of India'.

Correct Answer: C. Gujarat

Gujarat has the longest coastline in India, stretching over 1,600 kilometers. This long coastline supports various ports and salt production activities. Andhra Pradesh has the second longest coastline among the Indian states.

Correct Answer: B. Vishnu Sharma

Vishnu Sharma is credited with composing the Panchatantra, a collection of ancient Indian animal fables. It was written in Sanskrit to teach political science and wisdom to young princes. The stories have been translated into numerous languages worldwide.

Correct Answer: C. 6 years

Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected for a term of six years. It is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution by the President. One-third of its members retire every second year to maintain continuity.

Correct Answer: D. Steel

Sound travels fastest in solids because the particles are closely packed together. Steel is a solid medium where sound waves propagate much quicker than in liquids or gases. Sound cannot travel through a vacuum at all because it requires a medium.

Correct Answer: B. Holi

Holi is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated across India to mark the arrival of spring. It signifies the victory of good over evil and involves playing with colored powders. The festival is celebrated on the Purnima (full moon) of the Phalguna month.

Correct Answer: C. Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his work 'Gitanjali'. He was the first non-European to receive this prestigious honor. He is also the author of the national anthems of India and Bangladesh.

Correct Answer: B. Stratosphere

The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. It is the second major layer of the atmosphere, located above the troposphere. The temperature in this layer increases with altitude due to ozone absorption.

Correct Answer: B. Wheat

The Green Revolution led to a massive increase in the production of food grains, especially wheat and rice. It was initiated in the 1960s using high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds and modern irrigation. M.S. Swaminathan is known as the father of the Green Revolution in India.

Correct Answer: C. Liver

The liver is the largest gland in the human body and is responsible for producing bile. Bile helps in the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine. Although produced by the liver, bile is stored in the gallbladder until needed.

Correct Answer: C. Stock Market

Bull and Bear are terms used to describe the upward and downward trends of the stock market. A 'Bull' market indicates rising prices, while a 'Bear' market indicates falling prices. These terms reflect the way the animals attack their opponents.

Correct Answer: D. Lord Mahavira

Lord Mahavira was the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism. He was born in Kundagrama and attained enlightenment after twelve years of intense meditation. His teachings emphasized non-violence (ahimsa) and truthfulness.

Correct Answer: B. O Negative

O Negative blood type is considered the universal donor because it lacks A, B, and Rh antigens. This allows it to be transfused to patients of any blood type in emergency situations. Conversely, AB Positive is known as the universal recipient.

Correct Answer: B. One-horned Rhinoceros

Kaziranga National Park, located in Assam, is home to two-thirds of the world's great one-horned rhinoceroses. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its high density of tigers as well. The park is situated on the banks of the Brahmaputra River.

Correct Answer: B. Cerebellum

The cerebellum, located at the back of the brain, is responsible for coordinating voluntary movements. It maintains the body's posture, balance, and equilibrium during activities like walking. Damage to the cerebellum can lead to coordination problems.

Correct Answer: C. Climate Change

The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It commits its parties by setting internationally binding emission reduction targets. It specifically aims to reduce greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

Correct Answer: C. W.C. Bonnerjee

Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee was the first president of the Indian National Congress held in 1885. The first session took place in Bombay at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College. A.O. Hume, a retired British officer, played a key role in founding the organization.

Correct Answer: D. Gujarat

Dandiya Raas is the socio-religious folk dance of Gujarat, popularly performed during the festival of Navratri. The dance involves men and women moving in circles while striking sticks together. It represents a mock-fight between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura.

Correct Answer: C. 35 years

According to Article 58 of the Constitution, a person must be at least 35 years old to be eligible for election as President. The candidate must also be a citizen of India and qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha. The President is the ceremonial head of the Indian state.