The correct answer is Maharashtra.

• According to the 2011 Census of India, Maharashtra is the second most populous state in the country.
• As per the consensus of India 2011, Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state and Sikkim is the least populous state in India.

Key Points

• According to the provisional results of the 2011 national census, Maharashtra is the second most populous state in India with a population of 112,374,333 (9.28% of India's population).
• The 2011 census for the Maharashtra state found 55% of the population to be rural with 45% being urban-based.
• According to the 2011 census, Hinduism was the principal religion in the state at 79.8 percent of the total population, while Muslims constituted 11.5 percent.
• The sex ratio in Maharashtra was 929 females per 1000 males, which was below the national average of 943.
• The literacy rate rose to 83.2 percent. Of this, male literacy stood at 89.82 percent and female literacy at 75.48 percent.

Additional Information 

The correct answer is Indira Awas Yojana.

Key Points

• Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G)
  • To achieve the objective of Housing for All by 2022, the erstwhile rural housing scheme Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) was restructured to Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) w.e.f 1^st April 2016. Hence, Option 2 is correct.
  • This scheme was launched by the Ministry of Rural Development.
  • This scheme aims to provide a pucca house with basic amenities to all rural families, who are homeless or living in kutcha or dilapidated houses by the end of March 2022.
  • To help rural people Below the Poverty Line (BPL) in the construction of dwelling units and the upgradation of existing unserviceable kutcha houses by assisting in the form of a full grant.
  • Beneficiaries of this scheme are People belonging to SCs/STs, freed bonded laborers and non-SC/ST categories, widows or next-of-kin of defense personnel killed in action, ex-servicemen, and retired members of the paramilitary forces, disabled persons, and minorities.
  • The Selection of Beneficiaries through a three stage validation - Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011, Gram Sabha, and geo-tagging.
  • The cost of unit assistance is shared between Central and State Governments in the ratio 60:40 in plain areas and 90:10 for North Eastern and hilly states.

Important Points

• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban
  • Launch: 25^th June 2015, intends to provide housing for all in urban areas by the year 2022.
  • Implemented by: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
• Indira Awas Yojana 
  • It is related to the construction of rural housing.
  • It was launched in 1985.
  • Indira Awas Yojana was launched by then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.
  • The scheme was implemented under the Ministry of Rural Development.
  • It was subsumed in Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY) in 1989.
  • Indira Awas Yojana was changed into an independent scheme on 1st January 1996.
  • The government of India re-structured Indira Awas Yojana as Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana in 2016.
  • Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) Mission launched on 25th June 2015 which intends to provide housing for all in urban areas by the year 2022.

Additional Information

• Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana is the restructured version of erstwhile Jawahar Rozgar Yojana.
  • It was launched on 1st April 1999.
• Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY) was a scheme launched for the uplift of urban poor folks by enhancing sustainable livelihood opportunities through skill development.
  • It was launched under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA).
• Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) is a scheme that focuses on slum dwellers and the urban poor.
  • It was launched in June 2011 in two phases

The Correct Answer is Narendra Modi.

In News

•  Prime Minister launches 'Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat)’ platform on the National Unity Day.

Key Points

•  The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched 'Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat)’ platform for youth of the country on October 31st, at Kartavya Path on the National Unity Day.
• In a momentous decision on October 11, 2023, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, gave its approval for the establishment of an autonomous body known as "Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat)."
• 'Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat)’ is envisioned as a pivotal, technology-driven facilitator for youth development and youth-led development, with the overarching goal of providing equitable opportunities to empower the youth in realizing their aspirations and contributing to the creation of a “Viksit Bharat” (developed India), across the entire spectrum of the Government.
• It envisions a framework where the youth of our country can seamlessly connect with programs, mentors, and their local communities.
• This engagement is designed to deepen their understanding of local issues and empower them to contribute to constructive solutions.

The correct answer is 243E.

Key Points

• Article 243E:
  • ​It states about the Duration of Panchayats, etc.
  •  Every Panchayat, unless sooner dissolved under any law for the time being in force, shall continue for five years from the date appointed for its first meeting and no longer.
  • No amendment of any law for the time being in force shall have the effect of causing dissolution of a Panchayat at any level, which is functioning immediately before such amendment, till the expiration of its duration specified in clause (1).
  • An election to constitute a Panchayat shall be completed—
    • before the expiry of its duration specified in clause (1)
    • before the expiration of a period of six months from the date of its dissolution.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Numerical. 

"Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer".

Key Points 

• In the year 1945, the first electronic general-purpose and digital computer, ENIAC was introduced.
• The full form of the ENIAC is Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer.
• ENIAC was first used by the US Army's Ballistic research.

Thus the correct answer is Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer.

Additional Information 

• First-generation computer: In the first-generation computer, the technology used is a vacuum tube. It is made of glass and was very much fragile. 
• Second-generation computer: In the second-generation computer, the technology used is a transistor. The material used behind the transistor is made of a semiconductor.
• Third-generation computer: In the third-generation computer, the technology used is an IC or Integrated Circuit. In this generation, high-level language is used.
• Fourth-generation computer: In the fourth-generation computer, the technology used is VLSI and microprocessor.
• Fifth-generation computer: In the fifth-generation computer, the technology used is ULSI technology.

The correct answer is Alauddin Khilji.

Key Points

The attack of the Mongols:

• The first Mongol invasion of India took place in the reign of Sultan Shams-ud-din lltutmish in 1220-21, under the leadership of Chengez Khan. 
• Mongol attacks on the Delhi Sultanate increased during the reign of Alauddin Khalji and in the early years of Muhammad Tughluq’s rule-forced the two rulers to mobilise a large standing army in Delhi which posed a huge administrative challenge.

During Khalij Dynasty:

• In 1299, against advice, Delhi sultan Alauddin Khilji attacked the Mongols.
• The advance guard of the Indian army was led by Zafar Khan himself. He defeated the Mongols and pursued them as they withdrew. 
• The Mongols took a long time to rally from this setback. Then they attacked at the worst time possible for Alauddin Khilji – when he was busy laying siege to Chittor. 
• Delhi was attacked twice in 1299-1300 and 1302-1303.
• As a defensive measure, Aluddin Khalji raised a strong and large standing army.
• The Mongols plundered Punjab and burnt everything along the way.
• Alauddin Khilji sent a strong army led by two of his toughest generals: Ghazi Malik and the famous Malik Kafur to engage the invaders.
• They surprised the Mongols on their way back to Central Asia with their plunder.
• Kubak and other Mongol generals were captured and brought back to Siri, along with other prisoners.

The correct answer is A.

Key Points

Vitamin A:

• Vitamin A is an important vitamin that plays a major role in our vision.
• It helps in the production of certain pigments that are important for the proper functioning of the retina. 
• Vitamin A deficiency is the major cause of severe diseases, infections and preventable blindness in children.
• It is one of the major causes of night blindness in pregnant women.
• It also affects the immune system and results in deaths from malaria, diarrhoea and measles.
• Night blindness is a disease that is caused due to deficiency of vitamin A in food.
  • ​Night blindness (nyctalopia) is a condition in which people are unable to see clearly at night or in dim light.
  • The formation of retinal, a component of rhodopsin, requires vitamin A.
• Some of the food sources of vitamin A are vegetables, fruits and dairy products.

The Correct Answer is Jahangir.

Key Points

• Mughal Emperor Jahangir permitted the English East India Company to establish their factory in 1613 at Surat.
• The British East India Company came to India for trading in spices, an important commodity in Europe back then and as it was used to preserve meat.
• Apart from this, they primarily do trading in silk, cotton, indigo dye, tea, and opium.
• Mughal emperor Jahangir granted a Farman to Captain William Hawkins permitting the English to erect a factory at Surat in 1613. 
• In 1615, Thomas Roe, the Ambassador to James I, got an imperial Farman from Jahangir for doing trading and establish factories all across the Mughal empire.
•  In 1616, the company established its first factory in the south in Masulipattanam.
• Soon, the Vijaynagara Empire will also give the company permission to open a factory in Madras and the British company started to eclipse out the other European trading companies in their rising power.
• The 'East India Company' was formed in 1600.

Additional Information 

• Jahangir was born to Maryam-uz-Zamani and Akbar on August 30, 1569.
• He was named Sultan Muhammad Salim after Shaikh Salim Chishti of Fatehpur Sikri.
• Akbar called him Sheik Babu.
• After his coronation, he assumed the title of Nur-ud-din Muhammad Jahangir Badshah Ghazi.
• Jahangir was the only surviving son of Akbar who after his father’s death ascended the throne in 1604, at the age of 34 years.

The Correct Answer is 56.

In News

• The International Institute for Management Development (IMD) has released its 2023 World Talent Ranking, revealing that India has fallen four spots to 56th out of 64 economies, compared to its 52nd position in 2022.
• While the report acknowledges India's infrastructure improvements, it underscores the need for further enhancement in talent competitiveness.
• India fares reasonably well in future readiness, ranking 29th.
• Switzerland ranked on top in the IMD World Talent Ranking 2023, while Luxembourg was in second place, followed by Iceland, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

The correct answer is Viceroy Lytton.

Key Points

 Viceroy Lytton:-

• Viceroy Lytton, also known as Edward Robert Lytton Bulwer-Lytton, was an English statesman, Conservative politician, and poet who served as Viceroy of India from 1876 to 1880.
• The proclamation on behalf of Queen Victoria at the Delhi Durbar in 1877 was read by the Viceroy of India, Viceroy Lytton.
• Lytton read the proclamation in English and Urdu, and it was translated into other Indian languages as well.
• The proclamation promised to uphold the principles of liberty, equity, and justice for all of India's subjects.
• In her message, she expressed her love for India and her commitment to its welfare. She also promised to rule India justly and wisely.

Delhi Durbar of 1877:-

• It was a significant event in the history of British India.
• It marked the formal transfer of power from the East India Company to the British Crown, and it also affirmed Queen Victoria's status as Empress of India.
• The Durbar was held on January 1, 1877, to mark the proclamation of Queen Victoria as Empress of India.
• The Durbar was a lavish and impressive spectacle, and it was intended to demonstrate the power and authority of the British Empire.
• However, it also served to alienate many Indian people, who saw it as a symbol of British dominance.

Additional Information

Viceroy Mayo (1869-1872):

• He was the fourth Viceroy of India. He was assassinated by a Wahabi fanatic in 1872.
• He introduced financial distribution between the center and the states, established the Mayo College for the royal elite, and conducted the first census in India.

Viceroy Curzon (1899-1905):

• He was the 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston and the 7th Viceroy of India.
• He was known for his ambitious and controversial policies, such as the partition of Bengal and the construction of the North-West Frontier Railway.
• He also played a major role in the 1905 Simla Conference, which was an attempt to resolve the growing tension between the British and the Indian nationalists.

Viceroy Elgin (1862-1863):

• He was the 8th Earl of Elgin and the 2nd Viceroy of India.
• He was responsible for the destruction of the Old Summer Palace in Beijing during the Second Opium War.
• He also introduced a number of reforms in India, such as the establishment of the Indian Civil Service and the Indian Councils Act of 1861.