The correct answer is the 86^th amendment.

Key Points

• The 86^th amendment to the Constitution of India in 2002, provided the Right to Education as a Fundamental Right in Part-III of the Constitution.
• The amendment inserted Article 21A which made the Right to Education a fundamental right for children between 6-14 years.
• The 86^th amendment provided for follow-up legislation for Right to Education Bill 2008 and finally Right to Education Act, 2009.

The correct answer is Most Ashokan inscriptions are in the Brahmi script.

Key Points

• Taxila was on the north-western border of the empire, hence was considered as the gateway to the north-west, including Central Asia. 
• Ujjain was considered the gateway from the south to the north. Hence, Statement a is incorrect.
• The Mauryan empire was the biggest in history. It was founded by Chandragupta in 322 BC.
• Chanakya or Kautilya was made the prime minister under the rule of Chandragupta.
• Chanakya or Kautilya was the advisor or guru of Chandragupta Maurya.
• Chanakya wrote all his ideas and philosophies in the book called, Arthashastra. Hence, Statement b is incorrect.
• Kalinga is the ancient name of coastal Orissa. Ashoka fought a war to overcome Kalinga. Hence, Statement c is incorrect.
• The modern name of the Kalinga state conquered by Ashoka is Odisha.
• The name Bengal or Bangla is derived from the ancient kingdom of Vanga or Banga.
• Kalinga refers to the coastal region between Godavari and Mahanadi rivers. Bengal doesn’t lie in Kalinga.
• The most famous Mauryan ruler was Ashoka. He was the first ruler who tried to take his message to the people through inscriptions. 
• Most of Ashoka's inscriptions were in Prakrit language and were written in the Brahmi script. Some of the inscriptions were also written in the Kharosthi script. Hence, Statement d is correct.
• Brahmi Script is the parent language of Hindi and many other north Indian languages. Ashokan inscriptions were written in Brahmi script. It was the most commonly used language.

The correct answer is Bow and arrow.

Key Points

• The emblem of Cheras was “bow and arrow”. The Pugalur inscription of the 1st century AD has reference to three generations of Chera rulers. The Cheras owed its importance to trade with the Romans.

Additional Information

• Rashtrakuta dynasty (755 AD-975 AD):
  • The Golden Eagle was the Royal emblem of the Rashtrakutas.
  • Dantidurga (735 – 756) was the founder of the Rashtrakuta dynasty.
  • Amoghavarsha I (814 – 878) was the greatest king of the Rashtrakuta dynasty.
• Kadamba dynasty (345 - 525 AD):
  • The Lion was the Royal emblem of the Kadamba dynasty.
  • Mayurasharma was the founder of the Kadamba dynasty.
  • Kakustha Varma is considered the most powerful ruler of the dynasty.
• Chola dynasty:
  • The Tiger was the Royal emblem of the Chola Dynasty.
  • Vijayalaya was the founder of the Chola Empire.

The correct answer is Kibithu.

Key Points

• Arunachal Pradesh is the easternmost state of India.
• The easternmost point in India is Kibithu.
  • Kibithu is a town in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh state.
  • It is located on the LAC (line of actual control).
• Gujarat is the westernmost state of India.
  • Ghuar Mota in the Kutch region of Gujarat is the westernmost point in India.
• Tamilnadu is the southernmost state of India.
  • Indira Point is the Southernmost point of land in the territory of India.
• Indira Col is the northernmost point of land in the territory of India.
• Kanyakumari is the southernmost town in mainland India.

Additional Information

• The mainland of India extends between 8°4'N and 37°6'N latitudes.
• The latitude of the northernmost point of India, nearest to minutes is 37° 6'.
• The latitude of the southernmost point of India, nearest to minutes is 8°4'.
• The mainland of India extends between 68°7'E and 97°25'E longitudes.
• The equator represents the zero degrees latitude.
• The equator is the longest latitude.
• All latitudes are parallel to the equator.

The correct answer is Living organisms and physical factors.

Key Points

• An ecosystem consists of a community of organisms together with their physical environment consists of two components Biotic and Abiotic.
  • Abiotic consists of non-living organisms(air, water, soil, minerals, sunlight.
  • Biotic consists of living organisms (Producers, Consumers, Decomposers).

Additional Information

• The Food Chain is a linear sequence of organisms where nutrients and energy are transferred from one organism to another.
  • Producers make their own food. Example- Green plants.
  • Primary Consumers depend on the producers. Example- Grasshooper
  • Secondary consumers depend on the primary consumer for energy. Example- Frog
  • Tertiary consumer depends on the secondary consumers for the food. Example- Snake
  • Decomposers are microorganisms that decompose the dead and decaying material into humus which enriches the soil. Example- Bacteria, Fungus.

The correct answer is Gopichand Thotakura.

In News

• Gopichand Thotakura is set to become the first Indian space tourist by joining Blue Origin's NS-25 mission.

Key Points

• Jeff Bezos-led space startup Blue Origin unveiled the six-person crew set to embark on its NS-25 mission.
• This makes him the “first Indian space tourist” and the second Indian to venture into space after the Indian Air Force Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984.
• Blue Origin/Founded - September 8, 2000
• Founder - Jeff Bezos
• Headquarters - Washington, United States

Additional Information

• Thotakura, described as an entrepreneur and aviator, co-founded Preserve Life Corp, a wellness center in Georgia, USA.
• He has a background in aeronautical sciences and extensive experience as a pilot, including flying jets commercially and serving as an international medical jet pilot.
• Thotakura's journey began at Sarala Birla Academy in Bengaluru and continued with a Bachelor's degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
• The NS-25 mission marks the first crewed flight of the New Shepard rocket since 2022, with Thotakura joining fellow astronauts for a suborbital space flight experience.

The correct answer is Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan and Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan

In News

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates ‘Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan and Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan’ (PM-SURAJ) national portal, emphasizing credit support for one lakh entrepreneurs from disadvantaged communities.

Key Points

• PM-SURAJ portal signifies the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s commitment to prioritizing underprivileged individuals in development initiatives.
• The event includes interactions with beneficiaries of schemes like NAMASTE, VCF-SC, VCF-BC, and ASIIM, aimed at economic upliftment of Scheduled Castes, backward classes, and Safai Mitras.
• Ministry distributes Ayushman health cards and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to Safai Mitras under the NAMASTE program, ensuring access to cashless healthcare services and safety for frontline workers.
• The government’s dedication to “Vanchiton Ko Variyata” ensures equitable support for historically underserved communities, aligning with the broader vision of “Viksit Bharat” for inclusive development.

The correct answer is The Jat Regiment

In News

• The fifth edition of the India-Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise Dustlik commenced at Termez District in Uzbekistan from April 15 onwards.

Key Points

• ​The Indian Army contingent participated for the 5th edition of India- Uzbekistan joint military Exercise DUSTLIK.
• The Exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 15th to 28th April 2024 at Termez, the Republic of Uzbekistan.
• Exercise DUSTLIK is a yearly event conducted alternatively in India and Uzbekistan.
• The last edition was conducted at Pithoragarh (India) in February 2023.
• The Indian Armed Forces contingent comprising 60 personnel is being represented by 45 personnel from the Indian Army, majorly from a Battalion of the JAT Regiment, and 15 personnel from the Indian Air Force.
• The Uzbekistan contingent comprising approximately 100 personnel, from Uzbekistan Army and Air Force, will be represented by personnel from Southern Operational Command, part of South-West Military District.
• The fourth edition of the joint military exercise was held on February 20 last year at the Foreign Training Node, Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand.
• The exercise focused on sharing best practices in subconventional operations under UN mandate.
• Forty-five soldiers from each country's army participated in the previous edition of the exercise. The Indian Army contingent comprises troops from an infantry battalion from the Garhwal Rifles Regiment.

The Correct Answer is ​Planet vs. Plastics.

In News

• World Earth Day: 22 April.

Key Points

• Celebrated every year on April 22, World Earth Day is an annual event, where the world unites to serve a day dedicated to environmental protection and raising awareness regarding the challenges facing our planet.
• In 1970, Earth Day originated from the vision of Gaylord Nelson, a US senator, and Denis Hayes, a Harvard student, both deeply disturbed by the environmental damage they witnessed, including the devastating oil spill in Santa Barbara, California.
• It aimed to engage the public and elevate environmental issues. Its immediate success was evident with a massive turnout of 20 million people across the US.
• By 1990, Earth Day had transcended national borders, becoming a truly global event, uniting over a billion people of all ages in nearly 200 countries.
• This year’s Earth Day theme, “Planet vs. Plastics,” brings attention to the serious issue of plastic pollution and how it harms nature.

The correct answer is The acid present in tomatoes.

Key Points

• Oxalic acid is a chemical compound that occurs naturally in almost every plant to some degree, including fruit, vegetable and grain plants. 
• Tomato contains more than 10 types of acids such as citric acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid, oxalic acid etc.
• The oxalic acid content of tomatoes is about 50 mg per 100 g serving.

Additional Information

• Some natural sources of acid: