SSC MTS — Set 24

Correct Answer: C. Kuchipudi

Kuchipudi is a classical dance form that originated in the village of the same name in Andhra Pradesh. It is known for its fast footwork and dramatic characterization. Traditionally, it was performed by male dancers from the Brahmin community.

Correct Answer: B. Humayun

The Battle of Kanauj was a decisive conflict where Sher Shah Suri defeated the Mughal Emperor Humayun. Following this defeat, Humayun was forced to flee India and live in exile for fifteen years. This victory allowed Sher Shah to establish the Suri Empire in North India.

Correct Answer: D. Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India as per the 2011 Census data. It accounts for nearly 16 percent of the country's total population. If it were a country, it would be the fifth most populous in the world.

Correct Answer: C. Transport oxygen

Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes) contain hemoglobin, a protein that binds to oxygen. Their main job is to carry oxygen from the lungs to all the tissues of the body. They also help in carrying carbon dioxide back to the lungs for exhalation.

Correct Answer: C. Mitochondria

Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell because they produce energy in the form of ATP. This energy is essential for the cell to perform its various biological functions. They are found in almost all eukaryotic cells.

Correct Answer: A. Sarojini Naidu

Sarojini Naidu, also known as the Nightingale of India, was the first woman to become the Governor of Uttar Pradesh. She held this office from 1947 until her death in 1949. She was also a prominent leader in the Indian National Congress.

Correct Answer: B. One-horned Rhinoceros

Kaziranga National Park in Assam is home to the world's largest population of great one-horned rhinoceroses. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a highly successful conservation area. The park also hosts a significant population of tigers and wild water buffaloes.

Correct Answer: C. Oxygen

During photosynthesis, green plants absorb carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose and oxygen. This process occurs in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll. The oxygen released is vital for the survival of most living organisms on Earth.

Correct Answer: B. 1885

The first session of the Indian National Congress was held in Bombay in December 1885. It was presided over by Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee and attended by 72 delegates. The organization was founded to provide a platform for educated Indians to voice their concerns.

Correct Answer: B. 5 years

The Governor of an Indian state is appointed by the President for a term of five years. However, the Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President. The same person can be appointed as Governor for more than one state.

Correct Answer: C. Concave mirror

Dentists use concave mirrors because they can produce an upright and magnified image of an object held close. This allows the dentist to see small cavities or problems in the teeth clearly. Concave mirrors are also used in solar furnaces to concentrate light.

Correct Answer: C. Gopala

Gopala was the first ruler and founder of the Pala Dynasty in the 8th century. He was elected by the local chieftains to bring an end to the political instability in the region. The Pala rulers were great patrons of Buddhism and art.

Correct Answer: C. Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is the only state/UT in India that produces high-quality saffron, particularly in the Pampore region. Saffron is often referred to as 'Red Gold' due to its high value and labor-intensive harvesting. It is used widely in cooking, perfumes, and medicine.

Correct Answer: B. Watt

Watt is the SI unit of power, named after the Scottish engineer James Watt. One watt is defined as the rate of work done at one joule per second. It is used to measure the rate of energy consumption in electrical devices.

Correct Answer: B. Panini

Panini was an ancient Indian linguist and scholar who wrote the Ashtadhyayi, a foundational text on Sanskrit grammar. The book consists of eight chapters and nearly 4,000 rules. It is considered one of the most sophisticated works of linguistics in history.

Correct Answer: B. Rajasthan

The Panchayati Raj system was first introduced in Nagaur district of Rajasthan on 2nd October 1959. It was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The system aims to provide democratic decentralization at the village level.

Correct Answer: C. Tungsten

Tungsten is used for the filament of light bulbs because it has a very high melting point. This allows the filament to glow white-hot without melting when electricity passes through it. The bulb is usually filled with an inert gas like argon to prevent oxidation.

Correct Answer: B. Abhinav Bindra

Abhinav Bindra won the gold medal in the men's 10m air rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This was India's first-ever individual gold medal in Olympic history. He is a professional shooter and a recipient of the Padma Bhushan.

Correct Answer: D. Vitamin K

Vitamin K plays a vital role in synthesizing proteins required for blood coagulation. Without enough Vitamin K, the blood fails to clot properly, leading to excessive bleeding from minor injuries. Green leafy vegetables are a major source of this vitamin.

Correct Answer: B. Narmada

The Sardar Sarovar Dam is a massive concrete gravity dam built on the Narmada River in Gujarat. It is part of the Narmada Valley Project and provides water and electricity to several states. It is one of the largest dams in the world.

Correct Answer: C. Income Tax

Income tax is a direct tax levied by the government on the annual income of an individual or entity. Direct taxes are paid directly to the government by the person on whom they are imposed. In contrast, indirect taxes like GST are collected by intermediaries.

Correct Answer: C. Mumbai

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was established in 1935 in Kolkata, but its headquarters moved to Mumbai in 1937. As India's central bank, it regulates the country's banking system and monetary policy. Mumbai is considered the financial capital of India.

Correct Answer: C. Venus

Venus and Mercury are the only two planets in our solar system that do not have any natural satellites. Venus is often called Earth's twin due to its similar size and density. It is also the hottest planet in our solar system.

Correct Answer: B. C. Rajagopalachari

C. Rajagopalachari, popularly known as Rajaji, was the first and last Indian Governor-General of independent India. He served from 1948 until 1950 when India became a republic. He was a prominent freedom fighter and a statesman.

Correct Answer: C. Anemometer

An anemometer is a common weather station instrument used to measure wind speed and direction. The most common type has rotating cups that catch the wind. Measuring wind speed is crucial for weather forecasting and aviation safety.

Correct Answer: A. Maharana Pratap

The Battle of Haldighati took place in 1576 between the Mughal forces led by Man Singh and the army of Maharana Pratap of Mewar. Although the Mughals won, Maharana Pratap continued his resistance against them. It is one of the most celebrated battles in Rajput history.

Correct Answer: B. Punjab

Punjab gets its name from the Persian words 'Panj' (five) and 'Ab' (water), referring to the five major rivers flowing through the region. These rivers are the Beas, Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, and Sutlej. The state is famous for its fertile agricultural land.

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: B. Bachendri Pal

Bachendri Pal became the first Indian woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1984. She achieved this feat a day before her 30th birthday. She was later honored with the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan for her achievement.

Correct Answer: C. Part IV

The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are contained in Part IV of the Constitution, from Articles 36 to 51. These are guidelines given to the central and state governments to establish a welfare state. Unlike Fundamental Rights, they are not legally enforceable by courts.

Correct Answer: C. Mahanadi

The Hirakud Dam is one of the longest dams in the world and is built across the Mahanadi River in Odisha. It was the first major multipurpose river valley project started after India's independence. It helps in flood control, irrigation, and power generation.

Correct Answer: A. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was a Pashtun leader and a close follower of Mahatma Gandhi, earning him the title 'Frontier Gandhi'. He founded the non-violent Khudai Khidmatgar movement to oppose British rule. He was also the first non-Indian to receive the Bharat Ratna.

Correct Answer: C. Acetic acid

Vinegar typically contains 5-8% acetic acid by volume, which gives it its characteristic sour taste and pungent smell. It is produced through the fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria. It is used widely in cooking and food preservation.

Correct Answer: A. Dehradun

The Indian Military Academy is the premier officer training academy of the Indian Army, located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. It was established in 1932 to train cadets for commissioning as officers. The academy's motto is 'Valour and Wisdom'.

Correct Answer: B. Africa

Africa was historically referred to as the Dark Continent because its interior remained largely unexplored by Europeans for centuries. The term was popularized by the explorer Henry Morton Stanley. Today, it is recognized for its diverse cultures and vast resources.

Correct Answer: A. C.V. Raman

The Bharat Ratna was first instituted in 1954 and was awarded to three eminent Indians: C. Rajagopalachari, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and C.V. Raman. It is the highest civilian award in India for exceptional service or performance. The award is presented by the President.

Correct Answer: B. Sri Lanka

The Palk Strait is a narrow strip of water that connects the Bay of Bengal with the Gulf of Mannar, separating India and Sri Lanka. It is named after Robert Palk, a governor of Madras Presidency. The strait is shallow and contains several islands.

Correct Answer: B. Ganges River Dolphin

The Ganges River Dolphin was declared the National Aquatic Animal of India in 2009 to protect this endangered species. It is found only in freshwater and is essentially blind, using echolocation to navigate and hunt. It is a key indicator of the health of the river system.

Correct Answer: B. Thiamine

Thiamine is the chemical name for Vitamin B1, which is essential for converting food into energy. A deficiency of this vitamin can lead to a disease called Beriberi, which affects the nervous and cardiovascular systems. It is found in whole grains, beans, and meat.

Correct Answer: B. 6

A volleyball team has 6 players on the court at a time. The standard volleyball game features 6 players per team positioned in a 3-3 formation. With 6 players per side, volleyball allows for complex rotation and specialization of positions. The rule of 6 players per team in volleyball was established when the modern game was standardized.