SSC CPO — Set 4

Correct Answer: B. Article 17

Article 17 explicitly forbids the practice of untouchability in any form. It is a fundamental right aimed at promoting social equality among citizens. The enforcement of any disability arising out of untouchability is a punishable offense.

Correct Answer: B. 1757

The Battle of Plassey was fought in 1757, specifically on June 23, 1757, in Bengal. The battle was fought between the British East India Company led by Robert Clive and the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah. The British victory in 1757 was aided by the treachery of Mir Jafar, who commanded the largest contingent of Siraj's army. The 1757 Battle of Plassey established the foundation of British colonial rule in India.

Correct Answer: C. Venus

Venus is called Earth's twin because its size, mass, and composition are very similar to Earth. It is the hottest planet in our solar system due to a thick atmosphere. Venus is also the brightest object in the night sky after the Moon.

Correct Answer: D. Ascorbic Acid

Ascorbic acid is the chemical name for Vitamin C, which is essential for tissue repair. It is a water-soluble vitamin found abundantly in citrus fruits like lemons and oranges. Deficiency of this vitamin leads to a disease known as scurvy.

Correct Answer: B. Lord Mountbatten

Lord Mountbatten served as the last Viceroy of British India and the first Governor-General of independent India. He remained in office until June 1948 to oversee the transition of power. C. Rajagopalachari later became the first and only Indian Governor-General.

Correct Answer: A. Richter Scale

The Richter scale measures the magnitude or energy released by an earthquake. It is a logarithmic scale where each whole number increase represents a tenfold increase in measured amplitude. Seismographs are the instruments used to record these vibrations.

Correct Answer: A. Vitamin B1

Beri-beri is a nutritional disorder caused by a lack of Thiamine, also known as Vitamin B1. This condition affects the cardiovascular and nervous systems of the human body. Polished rice is often a primary cause as the hull containing B1 is removed.

Correct Answer: C. Kosi

The Kosi River is called the Sorrow of Bihar due to its frequent and devastating floods. It changes its course often, causing heavy damage to agriculture and property. The river originates in the Himalayas and flows through Nepal before entering India.

Correct Answer: A. 42nd Amendment

The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 added the Fundamental Duties to Part IV-A of the Constitution. These duties were recommended by the Swaran Singh Committee during the Emergency. Originally there were ten duties, but an eleventh was added in 2002.

Correct Answer: C. Income Tax

Income tax is a direct tax paid by individuals or entities directly to the government based on their earnings. It cannot be shifted to another person, unlike indirect taxes. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) manages the administration of such taxes.

Correct Answer: C. Nitrogen

Nitrogen makes up approximately 78% of the Earth's atmosphere by volume. It is an inert gas that is essential for all living organisms to build proteins. Oxygen is the second most abundant gas, comprising about 21%.

Correct Answer: B. Raja Ram Mohan Roy

Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj in 1828 in Calcutta. He is known as the 'Father of Modern India' for his efforts to abolish Sati. The organization aimed at social reform and the worship of one God.

Correct Answer: C. Britain

India borrowed the concept of single citizenship from Britain (the United Kingdom). In the British model, all citizens owe allegiance to the national government and not to individual states. India follows a similar system where every citizen is a citizen of India and not separately of any individual state.

Correct Answer: B. Xylem

Xylem is the vascular tissue responsible for moving water and minerals from the roots to the leaves. It provides structural support to the plant through its lignin-strengthened cells. Phloem, on the other hand, transports food produced during photosynthesis.

Correct Answer: B. Anamudi

Anamudi is the highest peak in the Western Ghats and South India, standing at 2,695 meters. It is located in the Idukki district of Kerala within the Eravikulam National Park. It is often referred to as the 'Everest of South India'.

Correct Answer: B. 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 respective animals attack their opponents.

Correct Answer: C. Assam

Kaziranga National Park is located in the state of Assam and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is world-famous for being the home to the largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses. The park is situated on the banks of the Brahmaputra River.

Correct Answer: B. Jawaharlal Nehru

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

Correct Answer: A. Dioptre

The power of a lens is measured in Dioptres, which is the reciprocal of the focal length in meters. A convex lens has positive power, whereas a concave lens has negative power. This unit helps in determining the corrective strength for vision.

Correct Answer: C. Right to Constitutional Remedies

Article 32, the Right to Constitutional Remedies, allows citizens to move the Supreme Court for the enforcement of rights. Dr. Ambedkar believed this article makes all other rights meaningful and effective. It empowers the courts to issue writs like Habeas Corpus.

Correct Answer: B. Pascal

The SI unit of pressure is the Pascal (Pa), named after the French scientist Blaise Pascal. One Pascal is equal to one Newton of force applied over one square meter of area. This unit is commonly used in physics and meteorology.

Correct Answer: C. Bahadur Shah Zafar

Bahadur Shah Zafar was the last Mughal ruler and a key figure in the Revolt of 1857. After the rebellion, he was exiled by the British to Rangoon, where he eventually died. His death marked the formal end of the Mughal Empire.

Correct Answer: B. Rajasthan

The Panchayati Raj system was first introduced in Nagaur district, Rajasthan, on 2 October 1959. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru based on the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee report. It aimed at strengthening democracy at the grassroots level.

Correct Answer: C. Tungsten

Tungsten is used for bulb filaments because it has a very high melting point and high resistance. It can glow white-hot without melting when an electric current passes through it. Bulbs are usually filled with inert gases like argon to prevent filament oxidation.

Correct Answer: B. Zoji La

Zoji La is a high mountain pass that provides a vital link between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh. It is situated on National Highway 1 and is often closed during winter due to heavy snowfall. The pass is located at an altitude of approximately 3,528 meters.

Correct Answer: B. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is called the Iron Man of India for his role in integrating princely states into the Union. He served as the first Home Minister and first Deputy Prime Minister of India. The Statue of Unity was built in Gujarat as a tribute to him.

Correct Answer: B. USSR

India adopted the concept of Five-Year Plans from the Soviet Union (USSR) to guide its economic development. The first plan was launched in 1951 focusing primarily on the agricultural sector. These plans were formulated by the Planning Commission, now replaced by NITI Aayog.

Correct Answer: B. Basic

The normal pH of human arterial blood is approximately 7.4, which is slightly basic or alkaline. The body maintains this narrow range strictly to ensure proper enzyme function and metabolism. A pH below 7 would be considered acidic.

Correct Answer: C. Salt

The Dandi March, also known as the Salt Satyagraha, began on 12 March 1930 from Sabarmati Ashram. Gandhi walked to the coastal village of Dandi to produce salt in defiance of British laws. This event marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Correct Answer: B. Stratosphere

The ozone layer is located in the stratosphere, roughly 15 to 35 km above the Earth's surface. It absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation, protecting life on Earth. Thinning of this layer is primarily caused by chemicals called CFCs.

Correct Answer: B. Mumbai

The RBI headquarters was moved from Kolkata to Mumbai in 1937. It is the central bank of India responsible for regulating the Indian banking system and monetary policy. The bank was established in 1935 under the Reserve Bank of India Act.

Correct Answer: C. Kathakali

Kathakali is a traditional classical dance-drama from Kerala known for its elaborate costumes and makeup. It usually depicts stories from Indian epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Mohiniyattam is another famous classical dance from the same state.

Correct Answer: B. NaCl

Sodium Chloride (NaCl) is the chemical name for common table salt used in food. It is an ionic compound formed by the reaction of sodium and chlorine. Salt is essential for fluid balance and nerve function in the human body.

Correct Answer: A. Sarojini Naidu

Sarojini Naidu served as the Governor of the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) from 1947 to 1949. She was a prominent poet and freedom fighter known as the 'Nightingale of India'. She was also the first Indian woman president of the Congress.

Correct Answer: C. Rice

Rice is a Kharif crop sown at the beginning of the monsoon season in June-July and harvested in autumn. These crops require high temperatures and plenty of rainfall to grow successfully. Other examples of Kharif crops include maize, bajra, and cotton.

Correct Answer: D. 552

The Constitution specifies a maximum of 552 members for the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament. This includes 530 members from states, 20 from union territories, and 2 nominated members from the Anglo-Indian community. Note that the nomination of Anglo-Indians was recently discontinued.

Correct Answer: B. Lactometer

A lactometer is used to check the purity of milk by measuring its specific gravity. It works on the principle of Archimedes, indicating whether the milk has been diluted with water. Pure milk has a specific range of density on the scale.

Correct Answer: B. Wetlands

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. It was signed in 1971 in the city of Ramsar, Iran. India currently has several designated Ramsar sites across various states.

Correct Answer: B. Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Gopal Krishna Gokhale was a moderate leader whom Gandhi regarded as his political mentor. Gokhale advised Gandhi to travel across India to understand the needs of the common people. He was the founder of the Servants of India Society.

Correct Answer: C. Graphite

Graphite is a form of carbon that is mixed with clay to create the lead used in pencils. It is soft and leaves a grey mark on paper when used for writing. Graphite is also a good conductor of electricity, unlike most non-metals.