General Awareness: India: UPSC Previous Year Questions (General Knowledge)

Explanation

Palitana Temples is a well-known Jain pilgrimage place in Gujarat that is close to Bhavnagar. They are composed of more than 800 finely carved marble temples dedicated to 24 Tirthankars. and are located atop Shatrunjaya Hill. Every pious Jain is obliged to make the Palitana Yatra (pilgrimage) at least once in their lifetime because the temples are regarded as one of the holiest places in Jainism. Many Jain patrons contributed to the construction of these temples over a period of 900 years. Famous Temples in Mount Abu (Rajasthan) Dilwara Temples - A group of exquisitely carved Jain temples built between the 11th and 13th centuries, known for their intricate marble craftsmanship. Adhar Devi Temple - Dedicated to Goddess Durga, built inside a natural cave, requiring 365 steps to reach. Raghunath Temple - A Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, known for its historical and spiritual significance. Famous Temples in Nasik (Maharashtra) Trimbakeshwar Temple - One of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, located near the origin of the Godavari River. Kalaram Temple - An ancient temple dedicated to Lord Rama, built entirely of black stone. Sundarnarayan Temple - A Vishnu temple, famous for its unique alignment with the rising sun during the equinox. Kapaleshwar Temple - A rare Shiva temple without a Nandi idol, as it is believed that Shiva himself performed penance here. Famous Temples in Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh):

Mahakaleshwar Temple - One of the 12 Jyotirlingas, known for its Bhasma Aarti, where sacred ash is offered to Lord Shiva every morning. Kal Bhairav Temple - Dedicated to Lord Bhairav, where liquor is offered as a ritual to the deity. Harsiddhi Temple - One of the Shakti Peethas, dedicated to Goddess Durga. Chintaman Ganesh Temple - An ancient temple where Lord Ganesha is worshipped as the "remover of worries".

Explanation

BRIT (Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology) is an organisation under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India. It specialises in isotope applications, radiopharmaceuticals, industrial radiography, and radiation processing. BRIT provides radioisotopes and radiation technologies for a range of uses, which are essential to nuclear medicine, agriculture, industry, and research. It supports healthcare by providing radioisotopes for cancer diagnosis and treatment and contributes to food preservation, sterilisation of medical products, and industrial testing.

Explanation

The Rajiv Gandhi National Flying Institute (RGNFI) is being established in Gondia, Maharashtra. It is a premier pilot training institute under the Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics (IGIA) and operates under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India. The institute aims to enhance aviation training and produce highly skilled commercial pilots to meet the growing demands of the aviation sector. It is equipped with modern training aircraft, simulators, and world-class infrastructure.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: In 2008 the NSG had 45 member countries (currently in 2025, it has 48 members). Based on " Non Proliferation Principle" require that importing states provide assurances to NSG members that proposed deals will not contribute to the creation of nuclear weapons.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Although India received a waiver in 2008 allowing it to engage in nuclear trade despite not being a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it was not granted full membership. India has been seeking NSG membership, but it hasn’t been admitted as a member yet.

Explanation

The Dharmachakra (Wheel of Dharma) in the center of the Indian National Flag is known as the Ashoka Chakra. It has 24 spokes, symbolizing righteousness, progress, and perpetual motion. The Ashoka Chakra is derived from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, which is India’s national emblem. The 24 spokes represent the 24 virtues that guide life, such as truth, justice, compassion, and perseverance.

Explanation

The first linguistic state in India, Andhra State, was established on October 1, 1953, after being separated from the Madras Presidency. From 1953 until 1956, Kurnool served as the capital of Andhra State. Hyderabad became the capital after Andhra Pradesh was formed in 1956 (after Telangana and Hyderabad State merged).

Explanation

Ladakh Lok Sabha constituency is the largest parliamentary constituency in India by area. It covers the entire Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir (now a Union Territory since 2019), spanning over 173,266 square kilometers. Despite being the largest in area, it has one of the lowest populations among Lok Sabha constituencies due to its harsh terrain and sparse settlements.

Explanation

Coffee Board Establishment: Created in accordance with the 1942 Coffee Act. Bengaluru, Karnataka, is the headquarters. Functions: Research, extension, development, market intelligence, internal and external promotion, and welfare initiatives are the main areas of concentration for the Coffee Board, which supports coffee production in India. Rubber Board Establishment: Constituted under the Rubber Act, 1947. Headquarters: Kottayam, Kerala. Functions: The Rubber Board is responsible for the overall development of the rubber industry in India, including research, extension, and market development activities. Tea Board Establishment: Constituted under the Tea Act, 1953. Headquarters: Kolkata, West Bengal. Functions: The Tea Board promotes the cultivation, processing, domestic trade, and export of tea from India. It also oversees research and development activities to improve tea quality and production. Tobacco Board Establishment: Constituted under the Tobacco Board Act, 1975. Headquarters: Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. Functions: The Tobacco Board regulates the production and marketing of tobacco in India, promoting exports and ensuring fair trade practices.

Explanation

Convert feet to centimetres: 1 foot = 30.48 cm 6 feet = 6 × 30.48 = 182.88 cm Convert centimeters to nanometers: 1 cm = 10 nanometers 182.88 cm = 182.88 × 10 nm 183 × 10 nm

Explanation

In India, Ebrahim Alkazi was a well-known theatre director, acting instructor, and art enthusiast. From 1962 until 1977, he was the Director of the National School of Drama (NSD), where he transformed Indian theatre education. By fusing Indian customs with Western methods, Alkazi significantly contributed to the modernisation of Indian theatre. He also served as a tutor to Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri, among other well-known performers. For his services to Indian theatre, he received the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan.