Key Points

• In cellular respiration, glucose is converted into pyruvate in the cytoplasm by the process of glycolysis.
• The fate of pyruvate then depends on the presence or absence of oxygen.
• Fermentation is the process by which molecules such as glucose are broken down anaerobically.
• There are two main types of fermentation:

Alcohol Fermentation - 

• Alcoholic fermentation is the process by which ethanol and carbon dioxide are produced from sugars like fructose, glucose, and sucrose by yeasts during their cellular respiration.
• It is an anaerobic process. i.e. it occurs in the absence of oxygen.
• Alcoholic fermentation has many uses such as for the production of alcoholic beverages, ethanol fuel, and bread cooking.

Lactic Acid Fermentation - 

• This type of fermentation occurs in animal muscle cells.
• Sugar or glucose is converted into lactic acid and CO₂.
• During exercise, the occurrence of muscle cramps is due to lactic acid formation.
• In this case, the energy expenditure is faster than the oxygen supplied to the muscle cells, which creates an anaerobic condition.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1.

Additional Information

• In aerobic conditions, the pyruvate is converted to acetyl-coA, which then enters the TCA cycle for ATP synthesis.
• This process takes place in the mitochondria of a cell.

The correct answer is Article 108.

• As per Article 108 of the Constitution, a Joint session of Parliament can be summoned.

Additional Information

•  Article 108 of the Indian Constitution provides for a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament.
  • The joint session is summoned by the President.
  • It is presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
  • The joint sitting is governed by the Rules of Procedure of Lok Sabha and not of Rajya Sabha.
  • The quorum to constitute a joint sitting: 1/10th of the total number of members of the House.
  • The Bill is passed by a simple majority of the total number of members of both the Houses present and voting in the joint sitting,

The correct answer is 1988.

Key Points

• Sarkaria Commission was set up on June 9, 1983,
• commission was constituted under the Chairmanship of Justice R.S. Sarkaria with Shri B. Sivaraman and Dr. S.R. Sen as its members.
• The Commission will examine and review the working of the existing arrangements between the Union and States in regard to powers, functions, and responsibilities in all spheres and recommend such changes or other measures as may be appropriate.
• Sarkaria Commission submitted its 1600-page report in January 1988.
  • The report contains 247 recommendations spreading over 19 Chapters.
• The main recommendations of the Commission with regard to the Inter-State Council and its Secretariat were
  • The Council should be charged with duties in broad terms embracing the entire gamut of clauses (b) and (c) of Article 263.
  • The Council should not be vested with powers of inquiring into and advising upon disputes between the States.
  • Without an independent permanent secretariat, the Council will not be able to establish its credibility.
  • Considering the nature of meetings and the level of participants, the Council’s Secretariat should be suitably staffed and modeled on the Union Cabinet Secretariat.

The correct answer is Andhra Pradesh.

• The hill station 'Araku' is located in Andhra Pradesh.

Key Points

• Araku Valley is a hill station and valley region in the Andhra Pradesh State of India.
• Coffee was introduced in the Andhra Pradesh region in 1898 by the British.
  • From Pamuleru valley in East Godavari district to Araku Valley in the early 19th century.

Additional Information

• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has recently awarded a GI tag to Indian coffee. 
• Five varieties were selected for this
  • Coorg Arabica coffee
  • Wayanad Robusta coffee
  • Chikmagalur Arabica coffee
  • Araku Valley Arabica coffee
  • Bababudangiris Arabica coffee

The Correct Answer is Animal meat was the staple food.

Key Points

• The Harappan villages, mostly situated near the flood plains and produced sufficient foodgrains.
• Peas, sesame seeds, dates, cotton, etc, were grown during that time.
• Their main staples were wheat and barley, which were presumably made into bread and perhaps also cooked with water as a gruel or porridge. Hence Option 2 is Not true.

Important Points

• The Indus Civilisation and the contemporary cultures covered nearly 1.5 million sq. km area in India and Pakistan.
• It flourished around 2500 BC. Hence Option 3 is Correct.
• Fortification, well-planned streets and lanes, and drainages are noticed in the Harappan town and people lived in well-planned towns, Hence Option 1 is Correct.
• Harappa and Mohenjodaro each had their own citadel or acropolis, which was possibly occupied by members of the ruling class.
• Below the citadel in each city lay a lower town containing brick houses, which were inhabited by the common people. Hence Option 4 is also Correct.

The correct answer is Jama.

Key Points

• ​The division of the empire into subas, or governorships, sarkars, or districts, and parganas served as the foundation for the Mughal revenue system.
• It was made up of a handful of settlements that occasionally resembled mahals.
• The revenue staff was also required to carry out many administrative tasks, such as recruiting soldiers and maintaining public order.
• The principal imperial building served as the inspiration for the suba.
• The amalguzar, who would be comparable to the contemporary afsar-i-mal, was responsible for the remuneration work in the sarkar (revenue officer).
• The primary characteristic of the agrarian system under the Mughals was alienation from the peasant of his surplus produce in the form of land income.
• British administrators saw land earnings as soil rent because they believed the king to be the land's owner.
• In his Ain-i Akbari, Abul Fazl justifies the state's imposition of taxes by arguing that they are a price to be paid for sovereignty in exchange for security and justice.
• During the Mughal era, land revenue was referred to as mal and mal wajib in Persian.
• Kharaj wasn't frequently used.
• Land revenue collection is divided into two steps:
  • Assessment (jama/tashkhis): An evaluation was done to address the state demand.
  • actual collecting (hasil): On the basis of assessment demand, actual collection was done separately for kharif and rabi crops.

Additional Information

• The land was classified into four groups during the Mughal era: Polaj, Parati, Chachar, and Banjar.
• For the various types of land, different revenues were set.
  • Polaj: The area known as "polaj" is always planted with a different crop each year and is never permitted to go uncultivated.
  • Chachar: Chachar was a type of land that was first left fallow for three to four years before being replanted.
  • Banjar: Banjar was the lowest tier of land that had been uncultivated for at least five years.

The correct answer is Dholavira.

Key Points

• Harappa site was 1st discovered by Dayaram Sahani in 1921.
• It is located on the bank of the Indus river giving the name Indus Valley Civilisation.
• It is 1st urban civilisation of India.
• It is one of the oldest and largest civilisations in the world.
• The culture was distinguished by its system of town planning with the help of burnt bricks and a proper drainage system.

Additional Information

• Dholavira sitewas discovered byJagat Pati Joshi in 1968.
  • It is located on the bank of theLuni river in Runn of Kutch, Gujarat.
  • It is India's 40th world heritage site announced by UNESCO.
  • It has distinguished features of a series of water reservoirs and Outer fortification.

The correct answer is Eid-ul-Fitr.

Key Points

• Eid ul-Fitr is a significant Islamic holiday that starts the minute the new moon is sighted, marks the conclusion of the month-long fasting of Ramadan.
• The only day in the month of Shawwal when Muslims are not allowed to fast is this religious Eid.
• Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the most significant Islamic practices, and it is one of the most important festivals observed by Muslims worldwide.
• One of the five pillars of Islam is the Ramadan fast.

Additional Information

• Milad-un-Nabi:
  • ​The yearly festival of Eid Milad-un-Nabi honours the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, takes place in Rabi-ul-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which begins with the sighting of the moon.
  • The date also commemorates the Prophet's passing anniversary.
• Shab-e-Barat:  ​
  • ​The Muslim festival of Shab-e-Barat commemorates the halfway point of the month before Ramadan, has arrived.
• Eid-ul-zuha:
  • ​​The Feast of Sacrifice, also known as Eid al-Zuha, is one of the most important Islamic holidays.
  • The enthralling chants of 'Allah hu Akbar' are spread throughout the world during the exuberant Eid ul-zuha celebrations.
  • While it is known as Bakr-id in India, it is also known as Eid al-Adha, Id-ul-zuha, Id-ul-Azha, and Hari Raya Haji in other nations.
  • On the tenth day of the lunar-based Islamic calendar's 12th month, this auspicious day is observed.

The correct answer is Meta.

In News

• NCPCR, Meta launched a nationwide program to help students manage exam stress.

Key Points

• NCPCR (National Commission for Protection of Child Rights) has collaborated with Meta to launch a nationwide program aimed at assisting students in managing exam stress.
• The joint initiative aims to complement NCPCR's existing efforts under the ParikshaParv campaign, focusing on alleviating stress among children during exam periods.
• NCPCR chairperson, Priyank Kanoongo, highlighted the importance of addressing exam stress and appreciated Meta's support in tackling this issue.
• The program includes a national-level social media campaign and a convening in New Delhi, emphasizing the well-being of children during exams.

Additional Information

• Natasha Jog from Meta expressed the company's commitment to supporting student well-being and highlighted the various safety tools and features launched by Meta over the years.
• Meta's partnership with NCPCR underscores its dedication to spotlighting and addressing exam stress among students, helping them identify and manage stress triggers effectively.

The correct answer is Edinburgh.

Key Points

• Edinburgh
  • ​The first edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games was held at Edinburgh.
  • Scotland's capital and one of its 32 council areas is Edinburgh.
  • The city was traditionally a part of Midlothian County (officially known as the "county of Edinburgh" or Edinburghshire until 1947), but from 1482 onward, it was governed separately from the neighbouring country.
  • It is situated in Lothian on the Firth of Forth's southern side. After Glasgow, Edinburgh has the second-highest population in Scotland, and it ranks seventh in the UK.

Additional Information

• Commonwealth Youth Games
  • ​The Commonwealth Games Federation hosts the annual multisport Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG).
  • Up until 2008, the events took place in the years between the Commonwealth Games and those years.
  • From 2011 to 2015, they were still held every four years, but they did so the year after the Commonwealth Games.
  • They have been held the year prior to the Commonwealth Games since 2017.