Question 1

Medical milestones: In which year did Dr. Christiaan Barnard perform the first human heart transplant on Louis Washkansky? Identify the landmark year of the operation at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town. Choose the correct year.

Accepted Answer

What is being asked? The year of the first human heart transplant (patient: Louis Washkansky; surgeon: Dr. Christiaan Barnard). Given data Place: Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town (South Africa) Person: Dr. Christiaan Barnard Concept/Approach This widely noted milestone occurred on 3 December 1967. Common pitfalls Confusing the year with other transplant milestones (e.g., kidney transplants in early 1950s) or later cardiac advances. Final Answer 1967

Question 2

Indian art & heritage: The famous temple sculptures renowned for erotic art, built circa 950–1050 CE, are located at which site? Identify the temple complex celebrated for its detailed stone carvings from the Chandela period. Choose the correct site.

Accepted Answer

What is being asked? The site known for erotic/romantic sculptures from ca. 10th–11th century CE. Given data Time window: c. 950–1050 CE Style: Nagara-style temple sculpture; Chandela patronage Concept/Approach Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh) temples—especially the Kandariya Mahadeva complex—are globally famous for intricate figures, including 'shringara' themes. Common pitfalls Confusing with rock-cut caves at Ajanta/Ellora or Elephanta (earlier Buddhist/Shaiva cave traditions). Final Answer Khajuraho

Question 3

Indian mountaineering institutions: The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) is located in which city? Identify the correct hill station that hosts HMI. Choose the correct location.

Accepted Answer

What is being asked? The city that hosts the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. Given data Institution: HMI Concept/Approach HMI is situated in Darjeeling, West Bengal, established in 1954 after the successful ascent of Everest by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary. Final Answer Darjeeling

Question 4

Sikh history: Who was Guru Gobind Singh? Focus on his position among the Sikh Gurus and a key institutional reform he introduced. Choose the best description.

Accepted Answer

What is being asked? The correct historical identity and role of Guru Gobind Singh. Given data Key clue: Relation to the Khalsa and ordinal position among Gurus. Concept/Approach Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708) was the 10th Guru of the Sikhs and instituted the Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib in 1699; he also affirmed the Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru. Common pitfalls Confusing him with Guru Nanak (founder/first Guru) or Guru Arjan (compiled Adi Granth). Final Answer The tenth and last human Guru of the Sikhs; he founded the Khalsa in 1699

Question 5

Atmospheric science: The Earth’s ozone layer primarily restricts which component of solar radiation from reaching the lower atmosphere and surface? Identify the radiation band absorbed by stratospheric ozone. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

What is being asked? The part of the Sun's spectrum filtered by the ozone layer. Given data Layer: Stratospheric ozone (O3) Concept/Approach Ozone strongly absorbs UV-C and a significant fraction of UV-B, protecting living organisms; it transmits most visible light and much infrared. Final Answer Ultraviolet radiation (especially UV-B and UV-C)

Question 6

Introductory economics: What are “economic goods”? Choose the option that best captures the defining characteristics of economic goods in microeconomics.

Accepted Answer

What is being asked? The precise definition of economic goods. Given data Keyword: scarcity and cost Concept/Approach In microeconomics, economic goods are scarce relative to wants; acquiring/using them entails an opportunity cost, so they typically carry a positive market price. Step-by-step reasoning 1) Scarcity → choices must be made.2) Choices imply foregone alternatives → opportunity cost > 0.3) Market manifestation → positive price (in competitive markets). Common pitfalls Confusing free goods (abundant, price ≈ 0) or public-sector output with the broader economic-good concept. Final Answer Goods that are scarce and have positive opportunity cost (command a price)

Question 7

Indian national movement: Who was Gopal Krishna Gokhale? Focus on his role within the Indian National Congress and institution-building. Choose the best description.

Accepted Answer

What is being asked? The identity and major contribution of Gopal Krishna Gokhale. Given data Context: Early 20th-century Indian nationalism Concept/Approach Gokhale (1866–1915) was a prominent moderate in the INC, mentor to M.K. Gandhi, and founder of the Servants of India Society in 1905 to promote social reform and education. Common pitfalls Confusing him with B.G. Tilak (Extremist/Home Rule League) or Dayanand Saraswati (Arya Samaj). Final Answer A moderate leader of the Indian National Congress and founder of the Servants of India Society (1905)

Question 8

Sports GK: Federation Cup, World Cup, Allwyn International Trophy and Challenge Cup are awards/titles associated with which sport? Consider the common tournament/trophy naming conventions used internationally and in India. Choose the correct sport.

Accepted Answer

What is being asked? The sport commonly associated with a set of tournament names: Federation Cup, World Cup, Allwyn International Trophy, and Challenge Cup. Given data These titles appear in school/competitive-exam sports GK in the context of volleyball. Concept/Approach Across national and international play, volleyball features competitions bearing the above names (e.g., national Federation Cup events, FIVB Volleyball World Cup, regional/club Challenge Cups; Allwyn-sponsored volleyball events historically in India). Common pitfalls Assuming 'World Cup' always implies cricket/football; note that many sports run their own World Cups and Challenge Cups. Final Answer Volleyball

Question 9

World history (WWI): Identify the year when Germany was defeated at the Battle of Verdun on the Western Front and Romania declared war on the Eastern Front. Use the standard historical timeline of World War I to select the correct year for both even…

Accepted Answer

Given data Event 1: Germany's defeat at the Battle of Verdun (Western Front). Event 2: Romania declaring war (joining the Allies against Austria-Hungary) on the Eastern/South-Eastern theatre. Ask: Common year when both happened. Concept/Approach Fix the dates of the two milestones and choose the common year. Step-by-step timeline • Verdun was fought from February to December 1916; Germany failed to capture Verdun, and the offensive was ultimately repulsed. • Romania entered WWI by declaring war on Austria-Hungary on 27 August 1916, opening a new front. • Therefore, both key events align in 1916. Common pitfalls Confusing 1918 (Armistice) or 1914 (war outbreak) with the Verdun/Romania timeline. Final Answer 1916

Question 10

International economics: Define the practice known as dumping in foreign trade. Focus on the pricing behavior of exporters relative to cost or home-market price. Choose the most accurate definition.

Accepted Answer

Given data Term: Dumping. Context: International trade/antidumping law. Concept/Approach Dumping refers to discriminatory pricing by exporters: charging a lower price abroad than the normal value (home-market price) or even below cost, often to capture or distort the foreign market. Reasoning • Correct definition highlights selling below normal value/cost in export markets. • Other options either keep prices equal, misplace the market (imports), or describe different policies. Common pitfalls Equating dumping with any price difference regardless of cost or intent; ignoring the comparison with home-market price/cost. Final Answer Selling exports in a foreign market at a price lower than the home-market price or below cost to gain market share

Question 11

Indian military history: Identify the first Indian to serve as the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army. Distinguish between the earlier Commander-in-Chief title and the COAS designation created later. Choose the correct name.

Accepted Answer

Given data Ask: The first Indian COAS (Chief of the Army Staff). Note: The post of Commander-in-Chief existed earlier; COAS designation began in 1955. Concept/Approach Differentiate titles and timelines. Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa was the first Indian Commander-in-Chief (1949). The first COAS (post created in 1955) was General Rajendrasinhji. Timeline reasoning • 1949: K. M. Cariappa becomes first Indian C-in-C. • 1955: C-in-C post abolished; COAS instituted. • 1955–1957: General Maharaj Shri Rajendrasinhji serves as the first COAS. Common pitfalls Choosing Cariappa due to his 1949 milestone but missing the COAS vs C-in-C distinction. Final Answer General Maharaj Shri Rajendrasinhji (Rajendra Sinhji)

Question 12

Human diseases (parasitology): Identify the causative agent of filariasis (filaria) in humans. Focus on the pathogen class and typical transmission route. Choose the correct cause.

Accepted Answer

Given data Disease: Filaria (lymphatic filariasis). Ask: Causative agent. Concept/Approach Lymphatic filariasis is caused by filarial nematodes such as Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia spp., typically transmitted by Culex, Anopheles, or Aedes mosquitoes. Reasoning • Worm infection (helminth) → not bacterial, protozoal, or fungal. • Vector: mosquitoes inject larvae that mature in lymphatics. Final Answer Filarial nematode worms (e.g., Wuchereria bancrofti) transmitted by mosquitoes

Question 13

Sports personalities (golf): Identify the country to which professional golfer Vijay Singh belongs. Use international player affiliations. Choose the correct country.

Accepted Answer

Given data Name: Vijay Singh (professional golfer). Concept/Approach Vijay Singh is a Fijian golfer, multiple major champion, long associated with Fiji internationally. Final Answer Fiji

Question 14

Indian geography/ecology: Identify where coral reefs are found in India by major regions. Consider the seas and island groups known for reef ecosystems. Choose the correct set of locations.

Accepted Answer

Given data Ask: Indian regions with coral reefs. Concept/Approach India's significant coral reef areas occur around island chains and certain gulfs with suitable warm, shallow marine conditions. Reasoning • Major reef regions: Lakshadweep (atolls), Andaman & Nicobar (fringing reefs), Gulf of Mannar (patch and fringing), Gulf of Kachchh (fringing/patch). • The lake/estuarine or terrestrial options do not support coral reefs. Final Answer Gulf of Kachchh, Gulf of Mannar, Lakshadweep, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Question 15

History of science (temperature scale): Identify who Gabriel Daniel Fahrenheit was. Link to the development of the Fahrenheit temperature scale and instruments. Choose the correct description.

Accepted Answer

Given data Name: Gabriel Daniel Fahrenheit. Concept/Approach Fahrenheit (1686–1736) standardized thermometry by using mercury-in-glass thermometers and introduced the Fahrenheit temperature scale, widely used historically in English-speaking countries. Final Answer German-born physicist/instrument maker who proposed the Fahrenheit temperature scale and popularized the mercury thermometer

Question 16

Nobel prizes (two unshared awards): Dr. Linus Carl Pauling is the only person to win two individual Nobel Prizes — identify the two fields. Consider his scientific contributions and global activism. Choose the correct pair of disciplines.

Accepted Answer

Given data Laureate: Dr. Linus Carl Pauling. Ask: Two fields of his individual Nobel Prizes. Concept/Approach Pauling received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1954) for his research on the chemical bond and the Nobel Peace Prize (1962) for his campaign against nuclear weapons testing. Common pitfalls Selecting Medicine or Physics due to overlap with biochemistry/quantum theory; Pauling's two awards were in Chemistry and Peace. Final Answer Chemistry and Peace

Question 17

Sports cups/trophies: Durand Cup is associated with which game? Recall one of the oldest football tournaments in Asia, held in India. Choose the correct sport.

Accepted Answer

Given data Trophy/tournament: Durand Cup. Concept/Approach The Durand Cup is one of the oldest football tournaments in the world and the oldest in Asia, historically contested in India. Final Answer Football (soccer)

Question 18

Fathometer is used to measure

Accepted Answer

Ocean depth

Question 19

Fastest Shorthand Writer was

Accepted Answer

Dr. G. D. Bist

Question 20

Golf player Vijay Singh belongs to which country?

Accepted Answer

Fiji

Basic General Knowledge Questions