RAGA Test - 1

The correct answer is Prime Minister.

Key Points

• The President can dissolve the Lok Sabha on the advice of the Prime Minister.
• This is a power that the President has under Article 85 of the Indian Constitution.
• The President is the head of state of India, but the Prime Minister is the head of government.
• The Prime Minister is responsible for leading the Council of Ministers, which is the executive body of the government.
• The President is bound to act on the advice of the Council of Ministers, so the President can only dissolve the Lok Sabha on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The correct answer is Option 2. 

In News

• D. Gukesh, the 18-year-old chess prodigy from Chennai, defeated defending champion Ding Liren of China in the 14th game of the World Chess Championship 2024. 

Key Points

• The Candidates Tournament is the official qualifier for the World Chess Championship. Gukesh won the Candidates Tournament held earlier to secure his spot against Ding Liren. Hence, Statement 1 is correct. 
• The match does indeed consist of 14 Classical games. However, if the match ends in a draw, tie-breakers are played in speed chess formats like rapid or blitz, not Classical games. Hence, Statement 2 is incorrect.
• At 18, Gukesh surpassed Garry Kasparov’s record, which had stood for nearly 40 years, to become the youngest World Chess Champion in history. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

The correct answer is - Option 3) Aramaic script

Key Points

Kharoshthi Script:

• The Kharoshthi script, also known as Kharosthi, is an ancient script that was used mainly in the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia.
• This script was used for writing the Gandhari Prakrit and Sanskrit languages, among others, and was employed primarily between the 4th century BCE and the 3rd century CE.

Origin:

• The Kharoshthi script is derived from the Aramaic script, which was brought to the region by the Achaemenid Empire, which ruled over a vast area including parts of present-day Iran, Afghanistan, and the northwestern Indian subcontinent.
• Aramaic was used as the official language of the Achaemenid administration. The adaptation of this script to local languages led to the development of Kharoshthi.
• Unlike many other scripts in the Indian subcontinent, which are generally derived from the Brahmi script, Kharoshthi’s lineage is thus distinct and showcases the influence of foreign elements in the region’s history.

Significance:

• Kharoshthi was used extensively in inscriptions, manuscripts, and coins in the region until it gradually fell out of use around the 3rd century CE.
• It played a significant role in the transmission of Buddhist scriptures to Central Asia and beyond, facilitating the spread of Buddhism along the Silk Road.
• The decipherment of Kharoshthi has provided scholars with valuable insights into the socio-economic, cultural, and religious history of ancient northwestern India and Central Asia.

Thus, the correct answer is Option 3) Aramaic script.

Additional Information

• Comparison with Other Scripts:
  • Devanagari Script: This script is an abugida (a segmental writing system) used in India and Nepal. It is one of the most commonly used scripts in India today, derived from the Brahmi script, and is used to write several languages, including Hindi, Marathi, and Sanskrit. However, it did not influence the development of Kharoshthi.
  • Brahmi Script: The Brahmi script is one of the oldest scripts in South Asia and is considered the precursor to many modern Indian scripts such as Devanagari, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and others. Despite Brahmi's significant influence on many scripts in India, Kharoshthi developed independently under the influence of Aramaic.
  • Cuneiform Script: This ancient script was used in Mesopotamia and is one of the earliest writing systems, invented by the Sumerians. It is composed of wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets and is not related to Kharoshthi or the other Indian scripts.

The correct answer is Option 3

Key Points

• In MS Excel, the = (equal sign) is used to evaluate an expression. It is placed at the beginning of a formula to tell Excel that the following characters constitute a formula or expression.
• For example:

=A1+B1 adds the values in cells A1 and B1.

=SUM(A1:A10) calculates the sum of the range A1 to A10.

• The other symbols:

         * is used for multiplication.
          / is used for division.
           ! is used in cell references to refer to a different worksheet (e.g., Sheet1!A1).
Thus, the symbol used to evaluate an expression in Excel is Option 3: =.

Additional Information

• The status bar in MS-Excel displays information about selected cells, such as their sum, average, and count.
• It also shows modes and statuses of the current worksheet, such as Ready, Enter, Edit, Point.
• Users can customize the status bar to display additional data.

The correct answer is All Three.

Key Points

• Allahabad-Haldia is National Waterway-1 (NW-1), which runs along the Ganga River, connecting the cities of Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh and Haldia in West Bengal.
• Kottapuram-Kollam is National Waterway-3 (NW-3) in Kerala. It runs through the state's backwaters and lagoons.
• Sadiya-Dhubri is National Waterway-2 (NW-2), which runs along the Brahmaputra River in Assam, connecting the regions of Sadiya and Dhubri.

Additional Information

• National Waterway-1 (NW-1): Stretching over 1,620 km, NW-1 is one of the longest waterways in India, running along the Ganga River. It is a vital route for cargo movement and connects states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
• National Waterway-2 (NW-2): This waterway runs along the Brahmaputra River in Assam, covering a distance of 891 km. It is crucial for transportation in the northeastern region.
• National Waterway-3 (NW-3): Located entirely in Kerala, this waterway runs through the state’s intricate network of backwaters, connecting Kottapuram and Kollam over a stretch of 205 km.
• National Waterways are a part of India’s inland water transport system, which aims to provide an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to road and rail transport.
• These waterways play a significant role in reducing logistical costs, promoting regional trade, and easing traffic on traditional transport routes.
• With government initiatives under the Jal Marg Vikas Project, the development of waterways is being prioritized to enhance economic activity and boost connectivity in India.

The correct answer is: S. S. Tarapore.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) set up a committee to examine the feasibility of full capital account convertibility, and this committee was headed by S. S. Tarapore. The committee made significant recommendations on how to move towards full capital account convertibility in India.

Key Points

• S. S. Tarapore Committee:
  • Established by the RBI in 1997 to explore the possibility of capital account convertibility in India.
  • The committee recommended a phased approach for implementing full convertibility, focusing on economic stability and financial market reforms.
• Capital Account Convertibility:
  • Refers to the ability to convert local financial assets into foreign financial assets freely and without restrictions.
  • It is considered important for integrating a country’s economy with the global financial system but requires a stable macroeconomic environment.
• Key Recommendations:
  • The committee recommended several measures, such as fiscal consolidation, inflation control, and strengthening the banking system, before achieving full capital account convertibility.

Additional Information

• Other Economists:
  • C. Rangarajan: Known for his contributions to monetary policy and was a former Governor of RBI.
  • Chelliah: A renowned public finance expert, involved in tax reforms in India.
  • Dutta: Not associated with the committee on capital account convertibility.

The correct answer is Uttarakhand

In News

• The 8th edition of the India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise, KAZIND-2024, began on September 30, 2024, at the Surya Foreign Training Node in Auli, Uttarakhand.

Key Points

• The exercise will run until October 13, 2024, focusing on strengthening military cooperation between India and Kazakhstan.
• The Indian Armed Forces are represented by 120 personnel, primarily from the KUMAON Regiment, alongside additional members from other branches, including the Indian Air Force.
• The Kazakh contingent mainly comprises personnel from the Kazakhstan Land Forces and Airborne Assault Troopers, highlighting their commitment to enhancing bilateral military relations.
• KAZIND has been conducted annually since its inception in 2016, serving as a key platform for tactical knowledge sharing, improved coordination, and strengthened military ties.
• The joint exercises typically emphasize counter-terrorism strategies, peacekeeping efforts, and humanitarian assistance during natural disasters.

Additional Information

• The previous edition of KAZIND occurred in Otar, Kazakhstan, from October 30 to November 11, 2023, further solidifying the defense partnership between the two nations.
• Over the years, KAZIND has evolved into a vital exercise that enhances mutual trust and understanding, improving interoperability and coordination between the armed forces of India and Kazakhstan.
• The Ministry of Defence stated that KAZIND-2024 aims to continue fostering deep defense cooperation and understanding between the two countries.

The option in which the given figure is embedded when rotation is NOT allowed is shown below:

Hence, ‘option 3’ is the correct answer.

The logic followed here is:

• Hectare is a unit of Area.

Similarly,

• Pascal is a unit of Pressure.

Hence, the correct answer is 'Pressure'.

Additional Information

The pattern followed here is:

1) Black coloured one square in first figure, then one circle added in second figure, then one black coloured one square added in third figure, then again one circle added in fourth figure and finally black coloured square added in the final figure.

Hence, the correct answer is "Option 4".