General Knowledge for Competitive Exams

2009 was designated as the 'Year of India in Russia' and 'Year of Russia in India', celebrating the deep cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations. This bilateral initiative featured cultural exchanges, business delegations, and special events in both countries.

Under Article 164(4) of the Indian Constitution, a Minister who is not a member of the State Legislature must become a member within six months of their appointment. If they fail to get elected to either house within this period, they must cease to be a Minister.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj founded the Maratha Empire in 1674, establishing a sovereign Hindu state in western India during the Mughal period. He built a strong administrative and military system centered on guerrilla warfare tactics. D.S. Deshmukh was a modern Indian economist, and Tipu Sultan ruled Mysore in a different period and region.

Samresh Jung is a renowned Indian pistol shooter who represented India in international shooting competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. He specialized in pistol shooting events, particularly center-fire pistol. Swimming, 100m race, and weightlifting are entirely different sports unrelated to his career.

The nucleus contains protons (positively charged) and neutrons (neutral), which together form the dense core of an atom. Electrons orbit around the nucleus in electron shells, not within it. Option D incorrectly includes electrons in the nucleus, while options A and B only mention one component each.

Earth is the third planet from the Sun, orbiting at an average distance of about 150 million kilometers (1 astronomical unit). Mercury is first, Venus is second, and Mars is fourth. Earth's position in the habitable zone allows liquid water to exist, making it unique among the inner planets.

Asif Ali Zardari served as President of Pakistan from 2008-2013, succeeding General Pervez Musharraf who resigned in August 2008 under threat of impeachment. Zardari, Benazir Bhutto's widower, won the presidential election in September 2008. Nawaz Sharif became Prime Minister later, and Yousuf Raza Gilani was Prime Minister during this period.

Correct answer is (3). Jnanpith Award is India’s highest honour in the field of literature

Kanishka, the Kushan ruler (127-150 CE), founded the Saka era which began in 78 CE. The Indian national calendar follows the Saka era. While the era is called Salivahana Saka, Kanishka is historically credited with its introduction. Option B Salivahana is likely the name of the era, not the ruler who introduced it.

Rahula (also spelled Rahul) was the son of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became the Buddha. Rahula became one of the ten principal disciples and was known for his strict monastic discipline. Mahavir was a Jain Tirthankar, Gautam was Buddha's first name, and Jain refers to a religion.

 Control rods in nuclear reactors are commonly made of boron and cadmium because these two elements have the ability to absorb neutrons.

Irene Joliot-Curie and Frederic Joliot Curie jointly discovered artificial radioactivity. These isotopes rapidly became important tools in biomedical research and in the treatment of cancer and related diseases. 

The non-monetized sector (subsistence farming, barter, self-consumption) exists largely outside recorded monetary transactions, making accurate measurement difficult. This portion of economic activity is uncounted in official GDP figures. Savings rate, unemployment, and inflation don't create measurement obstacles - they're economic phenomena that are measured.

The Dunkel Draft (1991) was the key WTO proposal that introduced TRIPS (intellectual property rights) and TRIMS (investment measures). It was named after Arthur Dunkel, GATT Director-General. The Chelliah Committee dealt with Indian tax reform. Preston Proposal is unrelated to WTO agreements.

U Thant of Burma (Myanmar) was the first recipient of the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding in 1965. He served as UN Secretary-General (1961-1971) and was recognized for his role in promoting international peace. Martin Luther King Jr. received it later in 1966. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan received it in 1967.

 The reciprocal of bulk modulus is called compressibility

A lead ball falls through water more slowly than through air because of the viscous force in water.

According to Article 326 of the Indian Constitution and Rule 198 of Lok Sabha Rules, a No-Confidence Motion requires support from at least 50 members to be introduced. One-third of members (currently ~183) would be the majority needed to PASS it, not introduce it. 100 and 60 are incorrect figures.

According to Article 65(2) of the Indian Constitution, if both President and Vice-President offices are vacant, the Chief Justice of India acts as President. This is a temporary arrangement until a new President is elected. The Prime Minister has no constitutional provision to take over presidential duties. The Speaker has no role in this.

Option (3) is correct.

Correct Answer: Paulo Coelho

William Shakespeare wrote the comedy play 'As You Like It' in the late 16th or early 17th century. It is one of his most famous works, featuring characters like Rosalind and Orlando. Charles Dickens wrote Victorian novels (19th century), Thomas Hardy wrote novels like Tess (19th century), and Ernest Hemingway wrote modernist works (20th century).

Option (4) is correct.

Turkey's official currency is the Turkish Lira (TRY). The Pound is used in the UK and formerly Turkey (until 2000s), the Yen is Japan's currency, and the Euro is used by European Union countries. Turkey has used the Lira for most of its modern history, though it was revalued in 2005.