SSC CGL 12 September 2025 · Shift 2 · General Awareness — questions with answers · ShikshaSphere
Chapter 6 of 192
12 September 2025 · Shift 2
General Awareness
25 questions ~25 min readFree
25 questions
A
26
Read the following statements and choose the correct option:Assertion (A): Humayun's Tomb was the first major Mughal garden tomb and served as a model for the design of the Taj Mahal.
Reason (R): It introduced the charbagh garden layout and the double-dome structure that became distinctive features of later Mughal architecture.
A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B.Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C.A is true, but R is false.
D.A is false, but R is true.
Solution
Humayun's Tomb (A–R)
Humayun's Tomb (Delhi, 1570) was the first grand Mughal garden tomb and a direct architectural forerunner of the Taj Mahal — A is true.
It introduced the Persian charbagh (four-quadrant garden) and the double dome to India — exactly the features that made it the model — R is true and explains A.
Hence option (a).
27
Which ruler's empire is known for having a highly centralised system of administration?
A.Chandragupta Maurya
B.Samudragupta
C.Harshavardhana
D.Bindusara
Solution
Mauryan administration
Chandragupta Maurya's empire, guided by Kautilya's Arthashastra, ran a highly centralised administration.
It had elaborate departments, a spy network and tight control from Pataliputra over provinces.
Gupta rule (Samudragupta) was comparatively decentralised — hence option (a).
28
Which of the following statements best explains the historical evolution of Indian classical music?
A.Jatis evolved from gramas described in ancient treatises like Natya Shastra.
B.The 72-mela system was codified by Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande in Hindustani music.
C.Folk music originated from Carnatic ragas and talas.
D.Ragas evolved from jatis, and the 72-mela system was formulated by Venkatamakhi.
Solution
Classical music — evolution
Ragas historically evolved out of the ancient jati system described in the Natya Shastra tradition.
The 72-melakarta scheme of parent scales was formulated by Venkatamakhi in his 'Chaturdandi Prakashika' (17th century, Carnatic music).
Bhatkhande gave the 10-thaat system, not 72 melas — hence option (d).
29
Consider the following statements about the phases of the long jump:
1. The athlete gains maximum momentum by sprinting on the runway before take-off.
2. During take-off, the athlete pushes off with the weaker foot to maintain balance.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A.Only 1
B.Only 2
C.Both 1 and 2
D.Neither 1 nor 2
Solution
Long jump phases
The approach run builds maximum controlled speed before take-off — Statement 1 is correct.
Athletes take off from their STRONGER (dominant) foot for maximum lift, not the weaker foot — Statement 2 is incorrect.
Hence only Statement 1 — option (a).
30
The most recent international gold medal won by Mary Kom was achieved at which of the following tournaments?
A.AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships, Delhi
B.President's Cup, Indonesia
C.Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast
D.Asian Boxing Championships, Bangkok
Solution
Mary Kom — latest gold
Mary Kom's most recent international gold came at the President's Cup in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia (2019, 51 kg).
Her Delhi World Championship gold (2018) and CWG Gold Coast gold (2018) came earlier.
Hence option (b).
31
The Regulating Act of 1773 brought significant reforms in the administration of the East India Company in which of the following two areas?
A.The Company's trade monopoly and military structure
B.The Company's constitution in Britain and its territorial governance in India
C.The Company's taxation policy and relations with Indian rulers
D.The Company's judicial powers and foreign trade regulations
Solution
Regulating Act 1773
The Regulating Act, 1773 was the first parliamentary step to control the Company on two fronts.
It reformed the Company's constitution in Britain (Court of Directors) and its territorial governance in India (Governor-General of Bengal with a Council; Supreme Court at Calcutta).
Hence option (b).
32
Consider the following statements about India's water-sharing treaties with neighbouring countries:
1. The Ganga Water Treaty signed with Bangladesh in 1996 ensures the sharing of Ganga waters at Farakka throughout the entire year.
2. The Mahakali Treaty signed with Nepal in 1996 provides for the integrated development of the Mahakali River, including the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A.Only 1
B.Only 2
C.Both 1 and 2
D.Neither 1 nor 2
Solution
Water treaties 1996
The Ganga Treaty (1996) shares Farakka waters only during the lean season (1 January to 31 May), not year-round — Statement 1 is incorrect.
The Mahakali Treaty with Nepal (1996) covers integrated development including the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project — Statement 2 is correct.
Hence only Statement 2 — option (b).
33
How many Kendriya Vidyalayas are adopted under the SLKIC vertical of Khelo India?
A.3
B.6
C.5
D.4
Solution
Khelo India — SLKIC
Under the Sports for Life Khelo India Centres (SLKIC) vertical, Kendriya Vidyalayas are adopted to develop grassroots sports culture.
As per the scheme details, 4 Kendriya Vidyalayas are adopted under this vertical.
Hence option (d).
34
Which of the following correctly describes "The Adventures of Kakababu, Volume 1" by Sunil Gangopadhyaya?
1. It is an iconic Bengali adventure novel featuring detective Kakababu with elements of mystery and culture.
2. It serves as a satire on post-independence Indian politics.
3. It narrates the author's personal experiences as a freedom fighter.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A.Only 1
B.Only 2
C.2 and 3
D.1, 2 and 3
Solution
Book — Kakababu
Kakababu (Raja Roychowdhury) is Sunil Gangopadhyay's iconic Bengali adventurer-detective; Volume 1 collects those mystery-adventure tales — Statement 1 is correct.
The series is neither a political satire nor a freedom-fighter memoir — Statements 2 and 3 are wrong.
Hence Only 1 — option (a).
35
In a special session in 2025 on "Environment, COP-30, and Global Health", which Indian political leader addressed?
A.Rajnath Singh
B.Smriti Irani
C.Amit Shah
D.Narendra Modi
Solution
COP-30 session 2025
The 2025 special session on "Environment, COP-30 and Global Health" was addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He highlighted India's climate commitments and the health–environment linkage ahead of COP-30 (Belém, Brazil).
Hence option (d).
36
Which type of landslide is characterized by the backward rotation of the displaced material along a curved surface?
A.Slump
B.Rock fall
C.Rockslide
D.Debris fall
Solution
Landslide — slump
In a slump, a mass of material moves down along a curved (concave) slip surface.
The block rotates backwards as it slides — the defining feature of rotational slides.
Rock falls and rockslides move along straight paths — hence option (a).
37
What does population density refer to?
A.Number of people living in each household
B.Number of people in a region
C.Number of people living per square kilometre
D.Number of people in a district
Solution
Population density
Population density measures how crowded an area is.
It is calculated as total population divided by total area — persons per square kilometre.
Hence option (c).
38
Read the following statements and choose the correct option:Assertion (A): Population explosion takes place when death rates fall sharply but birth rates remain high.
Reason (R): Changes in reproductive behavior within society occur immediately after healthcare improvements.
A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B.Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C.A is true, but R is false.
D.A is false, but R is true.
Solution
Population explosion (A–R)
Population explosion occurs in the second stage of demographic transition: death rates fall (better healthcare) while birth rates stay high — A is true.
Reproductive behaviour changes slowly, with a generational lag after healthcare improves — not immediately — so R is false.
Hence A true, R false — option (c).
39
What is the primary goal of using generative design techniques in aerospace engineering?
A.To automate the creation of lightweight yet strong structural components.
B.To optimize the fuel composition for advanced propulsion systems.
C.To develop AI-based navigation and control mechanisms.
D.To simulate aerodynamic behavior under varying flight conditions.
Solution
Generative design
Generative design lets algorithms explore thousands of shapes for a part under given constraints.
In aerospace, its primary goal is automated creation of lightweight yet strong structural components — cutting weight without losing strength.
Hence option (a).
40
What is the main function of lysosomes in a cell?
A.Protein synthesis
B.Genetic information storage
C.Energy production
D.Intracellular digestion
Solution
Lysosomes
Lysosomes contain powerful hydrolytic enzymes.
They digest worn-out organelles, food particles and pathogens inside the cell — hence the name 'suicide bags'.
Intracellular digestion — option (d).
41
Consider the following statements regarding Article 270 of the Indian Constitution:
1. Article 270 provides for the distribution of taxes between the Union and the States, including the share of revenue from GST.
2. After the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, Article 270 was amended to include the distribution of revenue from taxes under Article 246A (GST).
3. The GST Compensation Cess forms part of the divisible pool of taxes under Article 270.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A.1 and 3 only
B.1 only
C.1 and 2 only
D.2 and 3 only
Solution
Article 270 & GST
Article 270 governs the distribution of Union taxes between Centre and States, and now includes GST revenue — Statement 1 is correct.
The 101st Amendment (2016) amended Article 270 to cover taxes levied under Article 246A — Statement 2 is correct.
Cesses (including the GST Compensation Cess) are excluded from the divisible pool — Statement 3 is wrong; hence option (c).
42
If Earth's radius decreases by 1% while its mass stays the same, what happens to the gravitational acceleration on its surface?
A.It increases by about 5%
B.It decreases by about 2%
C.It increases by about 2%
D.It decreases by about 1%
Solution
g and Earth’s radius
g = GM/R², so g is inversely proportional to R².
If R decreases by 1%, R² decreases by about 2%.
Hence g increases by about 2% — option (c).
43
As per the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), what is the maximum total period for which an accused person can be kept in police custody, even if such custody is granted in parts by a magistrate?
A.15 days
B.65 days
C.90 days
D.30 days
Solution
BNSS — police custody
Under BNSS Section 187, police custody remains capped at 15 days in total.
The change from CrPC is that these 15 days can now be taken in parts during the initial 40/60 days of detention.
Hence maximum total police custody = 15 days — option (a).
44
What is the eligible age range for farmers to enrol under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY)?
A.18-32 years
B.25-50 years
C.21-45 years
D.18-40 years
Solution
PM-KMY age range
PM-KMY is a voluntary pension scheme for small and marginal farmers.
Entry age is 18 to 40 years, with a monthly pension of ₹3,000 after age 60.
Hence option (d).
45
Read the following statements and choose the correct option:Assertion (A): The UDAN Scheme aims to enhance regional air connectivity across India.
Reason (R): The scheme offers financial viability gap funding to airlines operating on underserved and unserved routes.
A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B.Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C.A is true, but R is false.
D.A is false, but R is true.
Solution
UDAN (A–R)
UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) under RCS aims to boost regional air connectivity and make flying affordable — A is true.
It achieves this by giving Viability Gap Funding and concessions to airlines on unserved/underserved routes — R is true and is exactly how A works.
Hence option (a).
46
As per the Global Cities Index 2025 released by Oxford Economics, which two cities have retained their leading positions in the global ranking?
A.Singapore and Dubai
B.Paris and Toronto
C.New York and London
D.Sydney and Hong Kong
Solution
Global Cities Index 2025
In Oxford Economics' Global Cities Index 2025, New York retained the top rank and London the second.
The index scores 1,000 cities on economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance.
Hence option (c).
47
Which of the following correctly describes light industries?
A.They process heavy ores and minerals.
B.They manufacture large industrial machinery.
C.They use heavy raw materials for production.
D.They use light raw materials to produce consumer goods.
Solution
Light industries
Light industries use light, easily transportable raw materials.
They produce consumer goods — electronics, garments, watches, appliances — and can locate near markets.
Heavy ores and big machinery belong to heavy industries — hence option (d).
48
What does Schedule VII of the Indian Constitution contain?
A.Election guidelines
B.Three legislative lists
C.Emergency powers
D.Judicial provisions
Solution
Schedule VII
The Seventh Schedule divides legislative powers between the Union and the States.
It contains three lists: the Union List, the State List and the Concurrent List.
Hence option (b).
49
A coastal city builds sea walls and raises buildings to protect against rising sea levels. This approach is an example of which type of climate change response?
A.Climate change mitigation
B.Carbon sequestration
C.Geoengineering
D.Climate change adaptation
Solution
Climate adaptation
Mitigation reduces the causes of climate change (emissions); adaptation adjusts to its effects.
Sea walls and raised buildings do not cut emissions — they adjust the city to live with rising seas.
Hence climate change adaptation — option (d).
50
Which physical quantity allows a satellite to stay in orbit without needing continuous engine thrust?
A.Mass
B.Gravitational pull
C.Orbital velocity
D.Atmospheric drag
Solution
Satellite in orbit
A satellite stays up because its orbital velocity keeps it "falling around" the Earth.
At the right tangential speed, gravity bends its path into a closed orbit — no engine thrust needed.
Hence orbital velocity — option (c).
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