SSC GD — Set 19

Correct Answer: A. Nagaland

The Hornbill Festival is held annually in the state of Nagaland to promote its rich culture. It is named after the Indian Hornbill bird, which is often featured in tribal folklore. This festival is also known as the 'Festival of Festivals'.

Correct Answer: C. M. Fathima Beevi

M. Fathima Beevi became the first female judge of the Supreme Court in 1989. After her retirement from the court, she served as the Governor of Tamil Nadu. She was a pioneer for women in the Indian legal profession.

Correct Answer: B. Indus

The Indus river is known as Singi Khamban, which means 'Lion's Mouth', in the Tibetan language. It originates near Lake Mansarovar in the Tibetan Plateau. This river is one of the longest in Asia and flows through three countries.

Correct Answer: C. Cyanocobalamin

Cyanocobalamin is the chemical name for Vitamin B12, which contains the metal ion cobalt. It is essential for the formation of red blood cells and proper nervous system function. This vitamin is primarily found in animal-based food products.

Correct Answer: B. 1928

The Simon Commission arrived in India in 1928 to report on the working of the constitutional system. It was met with protests and slogans of 'Simon Go Back' because it had no Indian members. Lala Lajpat Rai died during a protest against this commission.

Correct Answer: A. Article 324

Article 324 provides for the establishment of an independent Election Commission to conduct free and fair elections. It oversees elections for the Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice President. The commission ensures the democratic process remains transparent.

Correct Answer: B. Pascal

The Pascal is the SI unit used to measure pressure in the field of physics. One Pascal is defined as one Newton of force applied per square meter. It is named after the French scientist Blaise Pascal.

Correct Answer: B. Atmaram Pandurang

Atmaram Pandurang founded the Prarthana Samaj in Mumbai to promote social and religious reforms. The society focused on monotheism and the abolition of social evils like child marriage. Mahadev Govind Ranade later joined and made it a powerful movement.

Correct Answer: C. Karnataka

Karnataka accounts for more than 70 percent of the total coffee production in India. The major coffee-growing districts in the state are Chikmagalur and Kodagu. India is known for growing both Arabica and Robusta varieties of coffee.

Correct Answer: C. Chess

In Chess, a stalemate occurs when a player has no legal moves left but their king is not in check. This situation results in an immediate draw between the two players. It is a critical tactical element used to save a losing game.

Correct Answer: C. Concave lens

A concave lens is used to correct myopia by diverging light rays before they enter the eye. This allows the image to focus correctly on the retina rather than in front of it. People with myopia can see nearby objects clearly but struggle with distant ones.

Correct Answer: B. Satyendranath Tagore

Satyendranath Tagore, the elder brother of Rabindranath Tagore, was the first Indian to qualify for the ICS in 1863. He served in the Bombay Presidency during his administrative career. His success inspired many other Indians to attempt the competitive exam.

Correct Answer: C. Geneva

The headquarters of the World Health Organization is situated in Geneva, Switzerland. It was established in 1948 to coordinate international public health efforts. The WHO is a specialized agency of the United Nations.

Correct Answer: A. Sikkim

Sikkim is the least populous state in India according to the official 2011 Census data. Despite its small population, it is known for its beautiful Himalayan landscapes and organic farming. Uttar Pradesh remains the most populous state in the country.

Correct Answer: B. Devika Rani

Devika Rani, often called the 'First Lady of Indian Cinema', was the first recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. This is India's highest award in the field of cinema given for lifetime contribution. The award was introduced by the government in 1969.

Correct Answer: C. Gujarat

Lothal was one of the most prominent cities of the Indus Valley Civilization, located in modern-day Gujarat. It is famous for having the world's earliest known artificial dockyard connected to the river. This site shows evidence of ancient maritime trade with Mesopotamia.

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.

Correct Answer: C. Rajasthan

Ghoomar is a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan, originally performed by the Bhil tribe. It involves women wearing colorful ghagharas and swirling in circular movements. The dance is performed on special occasions like weddings and festivals.

Correct Answer: C. Nitrogen/Argon

Electric bulbs are filled with Nitrogen or Argon gas to prolong the life of the tungsten filament. Nitrogen and Argon are chemically inert, preventing the hot filament from reacting with gas molecules. The Nitrogen/Argon filling reduces tungsten evaporation and prevents filament breakage. The use of Nitrogen or Argon in electric bulbs became standard because these gases maintain the filament at high temperatures without causing combustion.

Correct Answer: A. Warren Hastings

Warren Hastings became the first Governor-General of Bengal through the Regulating Act of 1773. He introduced several administrative and judicial reforms during his tenure. He was later succeeded by Lord Cornwallis.

Correct Answer: C. Part III

Part III of the Indian Constitution, which contains Fundamental Rights, is often called the Magna Carta. These rights are justifiable and protect the liberties of Indian citizens. They were inspired by the Bill of Rights from the US Constitution.

Correct Answer: B. Badminton

The Thomas Cup is the premier international team competition in men's badminton. It is held every two years and features teams from different nations. India made history by winning its first Thomas Cup title in 2022.

Correct Answer: A. Zoji La Pass

Zoji La Pass is a high mountain pass in the Himalayas that connects Srinagar with the Ladakh region. It is vital for strategic transport and remains closed during peak winter months due to heavy snow. It is located on National Highway 1.

Correct Answer: B. Tashkent

Tashkent is the capital and largest city of Uzbekistan in Central Asia. It is an ancient city located on the historic Silk Road trade route. India's second Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri, passed away in this city in 1966.

Correct Answer: A. Simuka

Simuka is credited with founding the Satavahana dynasty after the fall of the Kanva dynasty. The Satavahanas ruled over parts of modern-day Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. They were known for issuing lead and copper coins.

Correct Answer: C. Silver

Silver is the best conductor of electricity among all known metals at room temperature. However, copper is more commonly used in wiring because it is much cheaper and more durable. Aluminium is used in long-distance power lines due to its light weight.

Correct Answer: A. 28th February

National Science Day is observed on February 28th to mark the discovery of the 'Raman Effect' by Sir C.V. Raman. For this discovery, he became the first Indian to win the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. The day aims to spread the message of the importance of science.

Correct Answer: B. Krishna

Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is a large masonry dam built across the Krishna river between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is named after the famous Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna. It is one of the world's largest and tallest masonry dams.

Correct Answer: C. Annie Besant

Annie Besant became the first woman to preside over an Indian National Congress session in 1917 at Calcutta. She was a prominent British socialist and supporter of Indian self-rule. Sarojini Naidu later became the first 'Indian' woman president of the Congress.

Correct Answer: B. Sublimation

Sublimation is the phase transition where a solid turns directly into a gas without passing through the liquid state. Common examples include dry ice and camphor. This process occurs at specific temperature and pressure conditions.

Correct Answer: B. Saturn

Saturn currently holds the record for the most number of confirmed moons in our solar system. Scientists have discovered numerous small moons, bringing its total to over 140. Jupiter follows closely behind as the second planet with the most moons.

Correct Answer: B. Kalidasa

Kalidasa, the great Sanskrit poet of the Gupta era, wrote the famous play 'Abhigyan Shakuntalam'. It tells the romantic story of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala. Kalidasa is often referred to as the 'Shakespeare of India'.

Correct Answer: C. Godavari

The Godavari is the longest river in the peninsular region of India, covering a distance of about 1,465 kilometers. It is often referred to as 'Vridha Ganga' or 'Dakshin Ganga'. It originates from Trimbakeshwar in the Nashik district of Maharashtra.

Correct Answer: B. Sri Lanka

The Palk Strait is a narrow strip of water that separates India from its neighbor Sri Lanka. It connects the Bay of Bengal in the northeast with the Palk Bay in the southwest. The famous Rama Setu bridge is located in this region.

Correct Answer: B. Kamaljeet Sandhu

Kamaljeet Sandhu was the first Indian woman to win an Asian Games gold medal in 1970. She won the medal in the 400-meter race event held in Bangkok. P.T. Usha later became legendary for her multiple medals in the 1980s.

Correct Answer: B. D2O

D2O is the chemical formula for heavy water, where 'D' stands for Deuterium, an isotope of hydrogen. It is primarily used as a neutron moderator in nuclear reactors. Heavy water is chemically similar to normal water but has different physical properties.

Correct Answer: C. Kerala

Kerala produces about 90 percent of the total natural rubber in India. The state's tropical climate and heavy rainfall are ideal for the growth of rubber trees. Kottayam is a major center for rubber trading in India.

Correct Answer: C. Bahadur Shah Zafar

Bahadur Shah Zafar was the final ruler of the Mughal Empire in India. He was deposed by the British after the Revolt of 1857 and exiled to Rangoon. He was also a noted Urdu poet who wrote under the pen name 'Zafar'.

Correct Answer: C. Iris

The iris is the colored part of the eye that regulates the size of the pupil. By changing the pupil's size, it controls how much light reaches the retina. This function helps the eye adapt to different lighting conditions.

Correct Answer: C. 1930

The Dandi March, also known as the Salt Satyagraha, was started by Mahatma Gandhi on March 12, 1930. It was a 24-day march from Sabarmati Ashram to the coastal village of Dandi. This act launched the Civil Disobedience Movement across India.