GA 9.0

Front

✔ Question and Options
Where is the headquarters of South Western Railway?
(A) Chennai
(B) Hubli
(C) Kolkata
(D) Secunderabad

---

Back

✔ Correct Answer with Tick Mark
✔ (B) Hubli

---

✔ Detailed Explanation
The South Western Railway (SWR) is one of the 19 zones of Indian Railways.
📌 It was created in 2003 by carving out divisions from Southern and Central Railways.
📌 Hubli (officially known as Hubballi) in Karnataka was chosen as the headquarters for better administrative management of railway operations across Karnataka and nearby regions.
📌 The SWR zone currently manages three main divisions: Hubballi, Bengaluru, and Mysuru.
📌 It plays a crucial role in freight movement (especially iron ore, coal, and automobiles) and regional connectivity.

---

✔ Additional Important Information
🔷 Newly Proposed Divisions: A new division at Kalaburagi (Gulbarga) under SWR has been proposed but not yet operationalized.
🔷 Fast Facts: Hubli has one of the largest railway junctions in India after Mathura.
🔷 Other Railway Zones Formation Year:
➤ North Central Railway – 2003
➤ East Coast Railway – 2003
➤ South East Central Railway – 2003

---

✔ Related SSC PYQs

📌 Q. Where is the headquarters of North Western Railway located?
➤ Answer: Jaipur (SSC CGL 2022)

📌 Q. Which zone of Indian Railways has its headquarters at Bilaspur?
➤ Answer: South East Central Railway (SSC CHSL 2018)

📌 Q. In which year was East Coast Railway established?
➤ Answer: 2003 (SSC CGL 2021)

📌 Q. Where is the headquarters of Southern Railway?
➤ Answer: Chennai (SSC CPO 2019)

📌 Q. Headquarters of Eastern Railway is located at?
➤ Answer: Kolkata (SSC GD 2023)

---

✔ Quick One-Word Random PYQs Based Facts

📌 Q. Who was the first Indian Railway Minister? ➤ John Matthai (SSC CGL 2021)

📌 Q. In which year did the first passenger train run in India? ➤ 1853 (SSC CHSL 2017)

📌 Q. India's longest railway platform is located at? ➤ Hubballi, Karnataka (SSC MTS 2022)

📌 Q. Which is the highest railway station in India? ➤ Ghum Station (SSC CGL 2020)

📌 Q. Where is the Indian Railways Institute of Civil Engineering (IRICEN) located? ➤ Pune (SSC CGL 2019)

---

✔ Toughest Questions

🔹 Q. Under which ministry does Indian Railways operate? ➤ Ministry of Railways

🔹 Q. Who is responsible for the administration of a railway zone? ➤ General Manager

🔹 Q. Which railway zone handles the Konkan Railway line? ➤ Technically, Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL), not a zone.

🔹 Q. When was Indian Railways nationalized? ➤ 1951

🔹 Q. Which is the first electrified railway section in India? ➤ Bombay Victoria Terminus to Kurla, 1925

---

✔ Additional PYQs Facts about Options

➤ (A) Chennai: Chennai is the HQ of Southern Railway (Asked in SSC GD 2022)

➤ (B) Hubli: Hubli has the longest railway platform in India after its expansion (Asked in SSC MTS 2022)

➤ (C) Kolkata: Kolkata is HQ of Eastern and South Eastern Railways (Asked in SSC CGL 2023)

➤ (D) Secunderabad: Secunderabad is HQ of South Central Railway (Asked in SSC CHSL 2019)

---

✔ Interconnected Static GK

🔹 First Railway Line in India: Mumbai (Bori Bunder) to Thane in 1853.
🔹 Fastest Train in India: Vande Bharat Express.
🔹 Oldest Running Train: Punjab Mail (started in 1912).
🔹 Largest Railway Station by Area: Gorakhpur Junction (Uttar Pradesh).
🔹 Railway Budget merged with Union Budget: 2017 (first merged budget).

Front

✔ Question and Options
The length of the badminton court for singles is:
(A) 13.44 m
(B) 13.55 m
(C) 14 m
(D) 13.40 m

---

Back

✔ Correct Answer with Tick Mark
✔ (A) 13.44 m

---

✔ Detailed Explanation
📌 The official length of a badminton court (both singles and doubles) is 13.44 metres.
📌 The width differs:

• For singles: 5.18 metres

• For doubles: 6.1 metres
  📌 These measurements are governed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
  📌 A net divides the court in half, and its height at the center is 1.524 meters.
  📌 Singles court has narrower sidelines, while doubles court is wider due to side alleys.

---

✔ Additional Important Information
🔷 The service area in singles is longer and narrower, while in doubles it's wider and shorter.
🔷 The court is usually marked with white or yellow lines on a wooden or synthetic surface.
🔷 The back boundary line is the same for both singles and doubles, but the side lines differ.
🔷 The first official rules were drafted in 1877 by the Bath Badminton Club in England.

---

✔ Related SSC PYQs

📌 Q. What is the width of a badminton singles court?
➤ Answer: 5.18 m – SSC CGL 2022

📌 Q. What is the height of the badminton net at the center?
➤ Answer: 1.524 m – SSC GD 2021

📌 Q. Which sport's court is divided by a net and has a length of 13.44 m?
➤ Answer: Badminton – SSC CHSL 2020

📌 Q. The governing body of Badminton is?
➤ Answer: Badminton World Federation – SSC CGL 2019

📌 Q. In which country did modern badminton originate?
➤ Answer: England – SSC MTS 2023

---

✔ Quick One-Word Random PYQs Based Facts

📌 Q. What is the circumference of a standard cricket ball? ➤ 22.4 to 22.9 cm – SSC CHSL 2022
📌 Q. Length of a standard Olympic swimming pool? ➤ 50 metres – SSC CGL 2020
📌 Q. Number of players in Water Polo team? ➤ 7 – SSC GD 2023
📌 Q. Distance of marathon race? ➤ 42.195 km – SSC MTS 2019
📌 Q. Weight of a standard shot put (men)? ➤ 7.26 kg – SSC CPO 2021

---

✔ Toughest Questions

🔹 Q. What is the length and width of a badminton doubles court? ➤ 13.44 m × 6.1 m
🔹 Q. In which year did badminton become an Olympic sport? ➤ 1992 (Barcelona Olympics)
🔹 Q. What is the diameter of a standard badminton shuttlecock base? ➤ 25–28 mm
🔹 Q. Which country has won the most Thomas Cups in badminton? ➤ Indonesia
🔹 Q. How many feathers are used in a standard shuttlecock? ➤ 16 feathers

---

---

✔ Interconnected Static GK

🔷 Headquarters of BWF: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
🔷 First Indian male to win BWF World Championship medal: Prakash Padukone
🔷 Current Indian stars: P.V. Sindhu, H.S. Prannoy, Lakshya Sen
🔷 Trophy for international men’s team event: Thomas Cup
🔷 Badminton originated in India as a game called: "Poona" during British era

Front

✔ Question and Options
Who among the following musicians is associated with Sitar?
(1) Ali Akbar Khan
(2) Vilayat Khan
(3) Bahadur Khan
(4) Amjad Ali Khan

---

Back

✔ Correct Answer with Tick Mark
✔ (2) Vilayat Khan

---

✔ Detailed Explanation
📌 Vilayat Khan was a legendary Indian sitar maestro and is considered one of the greatest sitarists of the 20th century.
📌 He belonged to the Etawah Gharana (Imdadkhani Gharana), which specialized in sitar and surbahar playing.
📌 Vilayat Khan is credited for developing the Gayaki Ang style on sitar, where the instrument is played to imitate the human voice.

---

✔ Additional Important Information
🔷 Ali Akbar Khan, Bahadur Khan, and Amjad Ali Khan are primarily associated with the Sarod, not the sitar.
🔷 Ali Akbar Khan was the son of Allauddin Khan and a key figure in promoting Indian classical music in the West.
🔷 Amjad Ali Khan is a celebrated Sarod player and recipient of numerous honors like Padma Vibhushan.
🔷 Bahadur Khan was also a sarod player belonging to the Maihar Gharana.

---

✔ Related SSC PYQs

📌 Q. Which instrument is Amjad Ali Khan associated with?
➤ Answer: Sarod – SSC CGL 2021

📌 Q. Who is called the "Sitar Samrat" of India?
➤ Answer: Ustad Vilayat Khan – SSC CHSL 2022

📌 Q. Sitar is a modification of which ancient instrument?
➤ Answer: Veena – SSC CPO 2020

📌 Q. Name the musician who founded the Ali Akbar College of Music.
➤ Answer: Ali Akbar Khan – SSC MTS 2023

📌 Q. Sarod is mainly associated with which gharana?
➤ Answer: Maihar Gharana – SSC CGL 2020

---

✔ Quick One-Word Random PYQs Based Facts

📌 Q. Bismillah Khan is associated with which instrument? ➤ Shehnai – SSC GD 2021
📌 Q. Which musical instrument does Pandit Ravi Shankar play? ➤ Sitar – SSC CHSL 2020
📌 Q. Santoor is associated with which musician? ➤ Shivkumar Sharma – SSC CGL 2021
📌 Q. In which dance form is Mridangam prominently used? ➤ Bharatanatyam – SSC CPO 2022
📌 Q. Who was the first Indian musician to perform at the Woodstock Festival? ➤ Ravi Shankar – SSC MTS 2022

---

✔ Toughest Questions

🔹 Q. Which string instrument uses a 'mizrab' (plectrum) to pluck the strings? ➤ Sitar
🔹 Q. Which gharana is Vilayat Khan associated with? ➤ Etawah Gharana
🔹 Q. Which musician refused all Padma Awards saying that "the awards have been devalued"? ➤ Vilayat Khan
🔹 Q. What is the traditional material used for the strings of a sarod? ➤ Steel
🔹 Q. What is the number of strings in a typical sitar? ➤ 18 to 21 strings

---

✔ Additional PYQs Facts about Options

➤ (1) Ali Akbar Khan: Sarod maestro; founder of Ali Akbar College of Music in California; asked in SSC CGL 2022.

➤ (2) Vilayat Khan: Sitar maestro; developed "Gayaki Ang" style on sitar; SSC CHSL 2022.

➤ (3) Bahadur Khan: Sarod player; disciple of Allauddin Khan; associated with Maihar Gharana.

➤ (4) Amjad Ali Khan: Sarod player; awarded Padma Vibhushan in 2001.

---

✔ Interconnected Static GK

🔷 Etawah Gharana: Known for Sitar and Surbahar.
🔷 Maihar Gharana: Famous for instrumental music, especially Sarod and Sitar.
🔷 Veena: Ancient string instrument that inspired the development of Sitar.
🔷 Surbahar: A bass version of the sitar, used for playing slow musical compositions.
🔷 Instrument associated with Pt. Ravi Shankar: Sitar.

Front

✔ Question and Options
Name a reproductive strategy in which parasites take advantage of the care of other individuals of the same species or different species to raise their young.

(1) Brood parasitism
(2) Sexual parasitism
(3) Klepto parasitism
(4) Competitive parasitism

---

Back

✔ Correct Answer with Tick Mark
✔ (1) Brood parasitism

---

✔ Detailed Explanation
📌 Brood parasitism is a reproductive strategy where an organism relies on others to raise its offspring.
📌 The parasite lays its eggs in the nest of a host species, and the host unknowingly raises the parasite’s young as their own.
📌 This method is most famously seen in birds such as the cuckoo and cowbirds.
📌 Brood parasitism reduces the energy cost for the parasite but places a burden on the host, sometimes to the detriment of its own offspring.

---

✔ Additional Important Information
🔷 Types of Brood Parasitism:

• Obligate brood parasites always rely on this method (e.g., cuckoo birds).

• Facultative brood parasites may sometimes raise their own young but occasionally practice parasitism.

🔷 Notable Examples:

• Common Cuckoo (bird)

• Brown-headed Cowbird (bird)

• Honeyguide (bird species that even destroys host eggs to favor its own offspring)

---

✔ Related SSC PYQs

📌 Q. Which bird lays its eggs in the nest of other birds?
➤ Answer: Cuckoo – SSC CHSL 2020

📌 Q. Brood parasitism is seen in which group of animals?
➤ Answer: Birds – SSC MTS 2022

📌 Q. What is the reproductive strategy called where the host is manipulated into raising the parasite’s young?
➤ Answer: Brood parasitism – SSC GD 2021

📌 Q. The term ‘brood parasitism’ is associated with which bird?
➤ Answer: Koel – SSC CGL 2019

📌 Q. Which bird is famous for not building its own nest?
➤ Answer: Koel – SSC CPO 2021

---

✔ Quick One-Word Random PYQs Based Facts

📌 Q. Which animal shows 'metamorphosis'? ➤ Frog – SSC CHSL 2021
📌 Q. What is the largest mammal? ➤ Blue Whale – SSC CGL 2020
📌 Q. Which organ is called the "graveyard of RBCs"?

➤ Spleen – SSC CPO 2022
📌 Q. Which gas is used for ripening of fruits?

➤ Ethylene – SSC GD 2021
📌 Q. Which vitamin is synthesized by sunlight in the human body? ➤ Vitamin D – SSC CHSL 2022

---

✔ Toughest Questions

🔹 Q. Name a bird that practices "intra-specific" brood parasitism (same species). ➤ Ducks like Redhead Duck
🔹 Q. Which bird destroys host eggs to eliminate competition for its chicks? ➤ Honeyguide
🔹 Q. Brood parasitism primarily evolved to counteract what ecological pressure? ➤ Predation and high energy cost of parenting
🔹 Q. Which type of brood parasitism involves laying eggs in the same species' nests? ➤ Intraspecific Brood Parasitism
🔹 Q. What is the name of the structure used by some fish species to mimic brood parasitism? ➤ Brood pouches (e.g., Seahorse males)

---

✔ Additional PYQs Facts about Options

➤ (1) Brood parasitism: Strategy where host raises parasite’s offspring; Cuckoo is classic example; SSC CHSL 2020.

➤ (2) Sexual parasitism: Observed in deep-sea anglerfish where males attach to females permanently.

➤ (3) Klepto parasitism: Stealing food from another animal; seen in birds like skuas and frigatebirds.

➤ (4) Competitive parasitism: Biological term where organisms exploit the competition between two other species for their own benefit; not commonly used for offspring-raising behavior.

---

✔ Interconnected Static GK

🔷 Cuckoo bird: Bird known for its famous call and brood parasitism.
🔷 Koel: Indian bird practicing brood parasitism with crow nests.
🔷 Obligate parasites: Organisms that cannot complete their life cycle without exploiting a suitable host (e.g., Tapeworms).
🔷 Honeyguide bird: Destroys host eggs after laying its own eggs.
🔷 Nest Parasitism: General term for using another animal’s nest for one's benefit.

Front

✔ Question and Options
Ryotwari's system of revenue collection in India, introduced by the British, was based on the _____.

🔹 Smith's theory of rent
🔹 Ricardian theory of rent
🔹 Malthusian theory of rent
🔹 Marx's theory of rent

---

Back

✔ Correct Answer with Tick Mark
✔ Ricardian theory of rent

---

✔ Detailed Explanation
📌 The Ryotwari system was a land revenue system introduced mainly in Madras Presidency and later expanded to Bombay Presidency under British rule.
📌 Under this system, the individual cultivator (Ryot) was recognized as the owner of the land and was directly responsible for payment of land revenue to the government.
📌 It was based on the Ricardian theory of rent developed by David Ricardo, which emphasized that land rent arises due to differences in the fertility of land.
📌 In this model, better-quality (fertile) land yielded more rent, and tax assessments under Ryotwari were theoretically based on the productivity of the land.

Important personalities:

• Introduced by Thomas Munro in 1820 (Madras Presidency).

• Also associated with Alexander Read in early experiments.

---

✔ Additional Important Information
🔷 Three Major Revenue Systems in British India:
➤ Permanent Settlement (Zamindari System): Introduced by Lord Cornwallis in Bengal (1793).
➤ Ryotwari System: Introduced by Thomas Munro and Alexander Read in Madras and Bombay Presidencies.
➤ Mahalwari System: Introduced by Holt Mackenzie and modified by William Bentinck in North-Western Provinces.

🔷 Ricardian Theory of Rent:

• Proposed by David Ricardo.

• Stated that rent arises from the differences in the fertility of land and location advantages.

• The more fertile the land, the more surplus it could generate.

---

✔ Related SSC PYQs

📌 Q. In which presidency was the Ryotwari system introduced?
➤ Answer: Madras Presidency – SSC CHSL 2022

📌 Q. Who is associated with the introduction of the Ryotwari system in Madras?
➤ Answer: Thomas Munro – SSC CGL 2020

📌 Q. Which land revenue system was based on individual ownership of land?
➤ Answer: Ryotwari System – SSC CPO 2021

📌 Q. Ricardian theory is associated with which concept?
➤ Answer: Theory of Rent – SSC CGL 2019

📌 Q. Which Governor-General introduced the Permanent Settlement in Bengal?
➤ Answer: Lord Cornwallis – SSC MTS 2023

---

✔ Quick One-Word Random PYQs Based Facts

📌 Q. First Governor-General of India? ➤ Lord William Bentinck – SSC CHSL 2021
📌 Q. Who was known as the 'Father of Local Self-Government' in India? ➤ Lord Ripon – SSC CGL 2022
📌 Q. Who is known as the "Grand Old Man of India"? ➤ Dadabhai Naoroji – SSC CGL 2021
📌 Q. Year of formation of Indian National Congress? ➤ 1885 – SSC CHSL 2020
📌 Q. Author of 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India'? ➤ Dadabhai Naoroji – SSC GD 2022

---

✔ Toughest Questions

🔹 Q. Which system gave Zamindars hereditary rights over land? ➤ Permanent Settlement
🔹 Q. Who introduced Mahalwari settlement in North-Western Provinces? ➤ Holt Mackenzie
🔹 Q. Under which system was revenue collected from village communities collectively? ➤ Mahalwari System
🔹 Q. Who criticized the Ryotwari system by calling it "a system of misery and oppression"? ➤ Karl Marx
🔹 Q. Which presidency mainly used the Ryotwari system other than Madras? ➤ Bombay Presidency

---

✔ Additional PYQs Facts about Options

➤ (1) Smith's theory of rent:

• Adam Smith emphasized division of labor and production but did not develop a theory of rent; his work was focused on Wealth of Nations (1776).

➤ (2) Ricardian theory of rent:

• Developed by David Ricardo, forms the basis of Ryotwari system taxation logic; SSC CGL 2019 PYQ.

➤ (3) Malthusian theory of rent:

• Thomas Malthus is known for his population theory, not rent theory. (Malthusian trap: Population > Resources).

➤ (4) Marx's theory of rent:

• Karl Marx discussed rent in the context of capitalist exploitation but is unrelated to Ryotwari system.

---

✔ Interconnected Static GK

🔷 Thomas Munro: Introduced Ryotwari system; Governor of Madras Presidency.
🔷 David Ricardo: Economist who formulated the Theory of Rent.
🔷 Alexander Read: Helped in early implementation of Ryotwari system.
🔷 Lord Cornwallis: Introduced Permanent Settlement in Bengal.
🔷 William Bentinck: Reformed Mahalwari system and focused on social reforms.

Front

✔ Question and Options
The year of establishment of Bahmani Sultanate and its first capital was respectively _____ and _____.

🔹 (A) 1361 A.D. and Bijapur
🔹 (B) 1347 A.D. and Gulberg
🔹 (C) 1336 A.D. and Barar
🔹 (D) 1338 A.D. and Beedar

---

Back

✔ Correct Answer with Tick Mark
✔ (B) 1347 A.D. and Gulberg

---

✔ Detailed Explanation
📌 The Bahmani Sultanate was established in 1347 A.D. by Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah (original name: Hasan Gangu) after revolting against the Delhi Sultanate under Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
📌 Gulbarga (now in Karnataka) was chosen as the first capital of the Bahmani Sultanate.
📌 Later, the capital was shifted to Bidar during the reign of Ahmad Shah I Wali around 1429 A.D..
📌 The Bahmani Sultanate was the first independent Muslim kingdom of the Deccan and it played a major role in the political history of South India during the medieval period.

Founding Facts:

• Founder: Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah

• Dynasty Duration: 1347 A.D. – 1527 A.D.

• Final Disintegration: Split into five Deccan Sultanates - Ahmadnagar, Berar, Bidar, Bijapur, and Golconda.

---

✔ Additional Important Information
🔷 Key Points about Bahmani Sultanate:
➤ The Sultanate symbolized the start of Muslim rule in the Deccan.
➤ Known for significant cultural contributions like Persian art, architecture, and literature.
➤ Famous monument: Gol Gumbaz (though constructed later in Bijapur by Adil Shahis who emerged from Bahmani fragmentation).
➤ Prominent rulers: Firuz Shah Bahmani, Muhammad Shah II, Ahmad Shah Wali.
➤ Important battles: Frequent conflicts with Vijayanagara Empire.

---

✔ Related SSC PYQs

📌 Q. Who founded the Bahmani Kingdom?
➤ Answer: Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah – SSC CGL 2020

📌 Q. Which was the first capital of the Bahmani Kingdom?
➤ Answer: Gulbarga – SSC CGL 2019

📌 Q. The capital of Bahmani Kingdom was shifted to which place during the reign of Ahmad Shah I?
➤ Answer: Bidar – SSC CHSL 2021

📌 Q. Bahmani Kingdom was formed by revolting against which Sultanate?
➤ Answer: Delhi Sultanate (Tughlaq Dynasty) – SSC GD 2022

📌 Q. The Bahmani Kingdom fragmented into how many Deccan Sultanates?
➤ Answer: Five – SSC MTS 2023

---

✔ Quick One-Word Random PYQs Based Facts

📌 Q. Founder of Vijayanagara Empire? ➤ Harihara and Bukka – SSC CHSL 2020
📌 Q. Who built the Gol Gumbaz? ➤ Mohammed Adil Shah – SSC CGL 2022
📌 Q. Which Sultan shifted the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad? ➤ Muhammad bin Tughlaq – SSC CPO 2021
📌 Q. First Sultan of Delhi Sultanate? ➤ Qutb-ud-din Aibak – SSC GD 2022
📌 Q. Founder of Slave Dynasty? ➤ Qutb-ud-din Aibak – SSC CHSL 2021

---

✔ Toughest Questions

🔹 Q. Name the Bahmani ruler who adopted the title 'Sultan-i-Deccan'. ➤ Firuz Shah Bahmani
🔹 Q. Who among the Bahmani rulers transferred the capital from Gulbarga to Bidar? ➤ Ahmad Shah I Wali
🔹 Q. Which language flourished under the Bahmani rulers? ➤ Persian
🔹 Q. In which year did the Bahmani kingdom finally collapse? ➤ 1527 A.D.
🔹 Q. The battle of Talikota was fought between whom? ➤ Vijayanagara Empire and Deccan Sultanates

---

✔ Additional PYQs Facts about Options

➤ (A) 1361 A.D. and Bijapur:

• Bijapur became famous under Adil Shahi dynasty after Bahmani's collapse, not initial Bahmani capital.

➤ (B) 1347 A.D. and Gulberg:

• Correct. Gulbarga (Gulberg) was the first capital, later shifted to Bidar.

➤ (C) 1336 A.D. and Barar:

• 1336 is related to the founding of Vijayanagara Empire, not Bahmani Sultanate.

➤ (D) 1338 A.D. and Beedar:

• Bidar (Beedar) became capital later under Ahmad Shah Wali in the 15th century, not at establishment.

---

✔ Interconnected Static GK

🔷 Bahmani Sultanate: First Muslim kingdom in the Deccan.
🔷 Vijayanagara Empire: Hindu kingdom founded in 1336 A.D. to resist Muslim invasions.
🔷 Delhi Sultanate: Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s policies caused revolts leading to Bahmani formation.
🔷 Five Deccan Sultanates: Ahmadnagar, Berar, Bidar, Bijapur, and Golconda.
🔷 Persian influence: Culture, language, and administration style heavily influenced Bahmani rule.

Front

✔ Question and Options
Which of the following pair of writers and books in ancient India is wrongly matched?

🔹 Mṛcchakatikam : Shudraka
🔹 Raghuvamsham : Kalidasa
🔹 Buddha Charitra : Asvaghosha
🔹 Kadambari : Harshavardhan

---

Back

✔ Correct Answer with Tick Mark
✔ Kadambari : Harshavardhan

---

✔ Detailed Explanation
📌 Kadambari was actually written by Banabhatta, the court poet of Harshavardhana, not by Harshavardhana himself.
📌 Harshavardhana, although a patron of literature and writer of plays like "Nagananda", did not write Kadambari.
📌 Banabhatta authored both Kadambari (unfinished) and Harshacharita (biography of Harshavardhana).
📌 Kadambari was later completed by Banabhatta’s son Bhusanabhatta after his death.

Correct Associations:

• Mṛcchakatikam — Shudraka

• Raghuvamsham — Kalidasa

• Buddha Charitra — Asvaghosha

---

✔ Additional Important Information
🔷 Important Facts about Authors and Works:
➤ Shudraka: Mṛcchakatikam (The Little Clay Cart) – Sanskrit drama about a love story involving a courtesan.
➤ Kalidasa: Wrote Raghuvamsha, Kumarasambhava, Abhijnanasakuntalam — known as the greatest poet of classical Sanskrit literature.
➤ Asvaghosha: Buddhist monk and philosopher; Buddha Charita is a poetic biography of Buddha.
➤ Banabhatta: Court poet of Harshavardhana, wrote Harshacharita (first historical biography in Sanskrit) and Kadambari.

---

✔ Related SSC PYQs

📌 Q. Who wrote Mṛcchakatikam?
➤ Answer: Shudraka – SSC CGL 2019

📌 Q. Name the author of Raghuvamsha.
➤ Answer: Kalidasa – SSC CHSL 2018

📌 Q. Who is the author of Buddha Charitra?
➤ Answer: Asvaghosha – SSC GD 2021

📌 Q. Kadambari was written by whom?
➤ Answer: Banabhatta – SSC CGL 2023

📌 Q. Banabhatta was the court poet of which ruler?
➤ Answer: Harshavardhana – SSC MTS 2020

---

✔ Quick One-Word Random PYQs Based Facts

📌 Q. Who wrote Abhijnanasakuntalam? ➤ Kalidasa – SSC CGL 2020
📌 Q. Name the autobiography written by Harshavardhana. ➤ Harshacharita (by Banabhatta) – SSC CHSL 2022
📌 Q. Which text is known as India’s first historical biography? ➤ Harshacharita – SSC CGL 2021
📌 Q. Who wrote Nagananda? ➤ Harshavardhana – SSC GD 2023
📌 Q. Who authored Kumarasambhavam? ➤ Kalidasa – SSC CPO 2019

---

✔ Toughest Questions

🔹 Q. Banabhatta’s Kadambari belongs to which genre? ➤ Prose romance
🔹 Q. What is the main theme of Buddha Charitra? ➤ Life and teachings of Gautama Buddha
🔹 Q. Mṛcchakatikam is based on which city’s setting? ➤ Ujjain
🔹 Q. Which language was used by Asvaghosha in his writings? ➤ Sanskrit
🔹 Q. Who is considered the pioneer of Sanskrit drama in India? ➤ Kalidasa

---

✔ Additional PYQs Facts about Options

➤ Mṛcchakatikam : Shudraka

• PYQ: SSC CGL 2018 – "Who wrote Mṛcchakatikam?" — Answer: Shudraka

➤ Raghuvamsham : Kalidasa

• PYQ: SSC CPO 2020 – "Raghuvamsha and Meghaduta were written by?" — Answer: Kalidasa

➤ Buddha Charitra : Asvaghosha

• PYQ: SSC MTS 2019 – "Name the Buddhist monk who wrote Buddha Charitra." — Answer: Asvaghosha

➤ Kadambari : Harshavardhan

• Wrong match. Correct is Banabhatta.

---

✔ Interconnected Static GK

🔷 Banabhatta: Wrote Kadambari and Harshacharita; court poet of Harshavardhana.
🔷 Harshavardhana: Patron of Nalanda University; wrote Nagananda, Ratnavali, Priyadarshika.
🔷 Kalidasa: Legendary Sanskrit poet; associated with Chandragupta II's court.
🔷 Asvaghosha: Early Buddhist philosopher-poet; famous for Buddha Charitra and Saundarananda.
🔷 Shudraka: Ancient dramatist; Mṛcchakatikam is one of the earliest known Sanskrit dramas.

Front

📜 Question:

Kottapuram to Kollam stretch is connected by which of the following Inland National Waterways?

🔹 (A) NW1
🔹 (B) NW2
🔹 (C) NW3
🔹 (D) NW4

---

Back

✅ Correct Answer:

➤ (C) NW3 ✔️

---

📖 Detailed Explanation:

🔷 National Waterway 3 (NW-3):

• Stretch: Kottapuram to Kollam (through Kerala)

• Total Length: 205 km

• State: Kerala (100% inside Kerala)

• Important Passages:

  • Vembanad Lake

  • Champakkara Canal

  • Udyogmandal Canal

🔷 Special Features:

• First inland waterway in India with 24-hour navigation facilities.

• Mainly used for cargo transport, passenger ferry services, and tourism.

• Declared a National Waterway in: 1993.

• Operated by: Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).

---

📚 Additional Important Information:

📌 Total Number of National Waterways in India:

• As per National Waterways Act, 2016, 111 waterways are officially recognized.

• Earlier (before 2016), only 5 National Waterways were there.

📌 Five Oldest National Waterways (Pre-2016):
✔ NW-1: Allahabad to Haldia (Ganga River)
✔ NW-2: Dhubri to Sadiya (Brahmaputra River)
✔ NW-3: Kottapuram to Kollam (West Coast Canal)
✔ NW-4: Kakinada to Pondicherry (Godavari and Krishna Rivers)
✔ NW-5: Talcher to Dhamra (Brahmani and Mahanadi delta)

---

🧠 Related SSC PYQs:

➤ Question: On which river is NW-1 developed?
✔ Answer: Ganga River (SSC CGL 2020)

➤ Question: Which National Waterway is entirely within Kerala?
✔ Answer: NW-3 (SSC CHSL 2022)

➤ Question: Inland Waterways Authority of India was set up in which year?
✔ Answer: 1986 (SSC CPO 2019)

➤ Question: NW-2 lies on which river?
✔ Answer: Brahmaputra River (SSC MTS 2021)

➤ Question: Which canal is part of NW-3?
✔ Answer: Champakkara Canal (SSC GD 2022)

---

⚡ Quick One-Word Random PYQs Based Facts (different topics):

✔ River known as Dakshina Ganga: Godavari (SSC CGL 2017)
✔ Longest river of Peninsular India: Godavari (SSC CGL 2020)
✔ Damodar Valley Corporation established in: 1948 (SSC CHSL 2020)
✔ Old name of river Yamuna: Kalindi (SSC GD 2021)
✔ Origin of Krishna River: Mahabaleshwar (SSC CGL 2019)

---

🧩 Toughest Questions:

➤ Which river in India forms the largest delta in the world?
✔ Answer: Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta

➤ Which National Waterway passes through Sundarbans?
✔ Answer: NW-97

➤ Which river has been declared part of NW-4 and NW-5 both?
✔ Answer: Krishna River

➤ Which lake is navigable under NW-3?
✔ Answer: Vembanad Lake

➤ Which organization maintains Inland Waterways in India?
✔ Answer: Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)

---

🔥 Additional PYQs Facts about Options:

📌 Option A (NW-1):

• River: Ganga

• Stretch: Allahabad to Haldia (1620 km)

📌 Option B (NW-2):

• River: Brahmaputra

• Stretch: Dhubri to Sadiya (891 km)

📌 Option C (NW-3):

• Waterbodies: Kerala Backwaters (West Coast Canal)

📌 Option D (NW-4):

• Stretch: Kakinada to Pondicherry (via Krishna and Godavari Rivers)

---

🧩 Interconnected Static GK:

✔ Largest Freshwater Lake in India: Wular Lake
✔ Deepest River in India: Brahmaputra
✔ Longest National Waterway in India: NW-1 (Ganga River)
✔ First River Linking Project in India: Ken-Betwa Link
✔ Important Inland Waterway Terminal: Varanasi Terminal (on NW-1)

Front

📜 Question:

Which amendment in the Indian Constitution is related to the extension of the jurisdiction of High Courts to Union Territories?

🔹 (A) 9th Amendment
🔹 (B) 7th Amendment
🔹 (C) 1st Amendment
🔹 (D) 13th Amendment

---

Back

✅ Correct Answer:

➤ (B) 7th Amendment ✔️

---

📖 Detailed Explanation:

🔷 7th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956

• Purpose: To reorganize the states of India based on linguistic lines (States Reorganization Act, 1956).

• Important Part:

  • Extended the jurisdiction of existing High Courts to Union Territories.

  • Provided for the establishment of common High Courts for two or more states or a state and a Union Territory.

• Impact:

  • Enabled better judicial administration for newly formed states and UTs.

  • Examples: High Courts like Bombay HC, Madras HC now had jurisdiction over UTs like Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Puducherry respectively.

---

📚 Additional Important Information:

📌 Major Changes by 7th Amendment:
✔ States were reorganized based on language.
✔ Abolished the old classification of states into Parts A, B, C, and D.
✔ Introduced Union Territories formally into the Constitution.
✔ Extended High Court jurisdiction over Union Territories.
✔ Creation of new states like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, etc.

📌 Article Touched:

• Article 241 — Deals with High Courts for Union Territories.

• Articles 214–231 — Relate to the organization and jurisdiction of High Courts.

---

🧠 Related SSC PYQs:

➤ Question: Which Act led to the reorganization of states on a linguistic basis in India?
✔ Answer: States Reorganization Act, 1956 (SSC CGL 2020)

➤ Question: In which year was the concept of Union Territories introduced?
✔ Answer: 1956 (7th Amendment) (SSC CHSL 2019)

➤ Question: Which Article deals with the establishment of High Courts?
✔ Answer: Article 214 (SSC CGL 2018)

➤ Question: Which Union Territory is under the jurisdiction of Mumbai High Court?
✔ Answer: Dadra and Nagar Haveli (SSC GD 2022)

➤ Question: Which amendment abolished the classification of states into A, B, C, and D categories?
✔ Answer: 7th Amendment (SSC MTS 2021)

---

⚡ Quick One-Word Random PYQs Based Facts (Different topics):

✔ First Constitutional Amendment Year: 1951 (SSC CGL 2020)
✔ Total number of Schedules originally in the Constitution: 8 (SSC CGL 2019)
✔ Father of the Indian Constitution: B.R. Ambedkar (SSC GD 2021)
✔ Year of formation of UT of Chandigarh: 1966 (SSC CGL 2017)
✔ Part dealing with Union Territories: Part VIII (Articles 239–242) (SSC CHSL 2022)

---

🧩 Toughest Questions:

➤ Which amendment made it compulsory for the President to act according to the advice of the Council of Ministers?
✔ Answer: 42nd Amendment

➤ Which Article empowers the Parliament to form new states?
✔ Answer: Article 3

➤ Which Part of the Constitution deals with High Courts?
✔ Answer: Part VI (Chapter V)

➤ Which High Court has jurisdiction over Lakshadweep?
✔ Answer: Kerala High Court

➤ Which Union Territory does not have its own High Court?
✔ Answer: Most UTs except Delhi (which has Delhi High Court)

---

🔥 Additional PYQs Facts about Options:

📌 Option A (9th Amendment):

• Related to the inclusion of land reforms laws in the Ninth Schedule.

📌 Option B (7th Amendment):

• Related to High Court jurisdiction over Union Territories and reorganization of states.

📌 Option C (1st Amendment):

• Introduced reasonable restrictions on Fundamental Rights (especially Freedom of Speech).

📌 Option D (13th Amendment):

• Created a new state — Nagaland (1962).

---

🧩 Interconnected Static GK:

✔ Article 241: High Court for Union Territories.
✔ First woman Chief Justice of a High Court: Leila Seth (Himachal Pradesh HC).
✔ Smallest Union Territory area-wise: Lakshadweep.
✔ Only UT with a Legislative Assembly before 2019: Delhi and Puducherry.
✔ Longest-serving Chief Justice of India: Y.V. Chandrachud.

Front

📌 Question and Options:

Members of Public Accounts Committee are elected for a period of:
(SSC CHSL 25/05/2022 Morning)

🔹 A. One year
🔹 B. Two years
🔹 C. Five years
🔹 D. Three years

---

Back

📌 Correct Answer with Tick Mark:

✔ A. One year

---

📌 Detailed Explanation:

• The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is one of the most important financial committees of Parliament.

• Members of PAC are elected every one year by the Parliament.

• PAC primarily scrutinizes how the Government has spent the money granted by Parliament.

• The Speaker of Lok Sabha appoints the Chairperson of PAC.

• Ministers cannot become a member of PAC.

• It ensures accountability of the executive to the legislature in matters of public expenditure.

---

📌 Additional Important Information:

• Formation: 1921, under the provisions of the Government of India Act, 1919.

• Strength: 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha + 7 from Rajya Sabha).

• Selection: Members are selected through a system of Proportional Representation by means of Single Transferable Vote (STV).

• First Railways Minister of Independent India, John Mathai's committee Recommended the formation of PAC in 1950.

• PAC examines the Audit Reports of CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General of India).

---

📌 Related SSC PYQs:

➤ Who appoints the Chairman of Public Accounts Committee?
SSC CGL 2020 (Tier 1) — Answer: Speaker of Lok Sabha

➤ Which committee examines the expenditure of Government?
SSC CHSL 2021 (Shift 2) — Answer: Public Accounts Committee

➤ How are members of PAC elected?
SSC MTS 2019 — Answer: Proportional representation system through STV

➤ When was Public Accounts Committee established in India?
SSC CGL 2018 (Tier 2) — Answer: 1921

➤ What is the total number of members in PAC?
SSC CPO 2020 (Paper 1) — Answer: 22 members

---

📌 Quick One-Word Random PYQs Based Facts:

➤ First Indian to become President of INC — W.C. Bonnerjee (SSC CHSL 2022)
➤ Currency of South Korea — Won (SSC GD 2021)
➤ Vitamin responsible for Blood Clotting — Vitamin K (SSC CGL 2019)
➤ Dronacharya Award is related to — Sports Coaching (SSC CHSL 2020)
➤ Author of Arthashastra — Kautilya (SSC MTS 2017)

---

📌 Toughest Questions:

➤ Which Financial Committee has the maximum number of members?

✔ Answer: Estimates Committee
(30 members — All from Lok Sabha)
📌 (PAC has 22, Committee on Public Undertakings has 22)
➤ Name the two committees formed under Krishna Menon (1966) recommendations.

Answer : Public Undertakings Committee and Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs)
➤ Which Article mentions CAG's role related to Parliament Committees?

Article 151
📌 (CAG submits audit reports to the President, which are then placed before PAC)
➤ Difference between PAC and Estimates Committee in terms of Membership?

• PAC: 22 members (15 LS + 7 RS)

• Estimates Committee: 30 members (Only Lok Sabha)
  ➤ Which Standing Committee has jurisdiction over Railway Expenditure Audit?

---

📌 Additional PYQs Facts about Options:

🔹 (A) One year:
➤ Tenure of PAC members is one year.
(SSC CHSL 2022)

🔹 (B) Two years:
➤ Tenure of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman?
Answer: For 6 years, not 2 years (SSC CGL 2021 — tricky trap)

🔹 (C) Five years:
➤ Term of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)?
Answer: 6 years or until 65 years (SSC CHSL 2020)

🔹 (D) Three years:
➤ President of India nominates 12 Rajya Sabha members for how long?
Answer: 6 years (Not 3) (SSC GD 2021)

---

📌 Interconnected Static GK:

➤ Public Accounts Committee → CAG → Reports to President
➤ Estimates Committee → Focuses on proposed expenditures
➤ Committee on Public Undertakings → Focuses on PSU functioning
➤ All Financial Committees are Standing Committees (Standing ≠ Adhoc)