General Knowledge (Set-IX)

Explain:Kerala has topped the NITI Aayog’s “School Education Quality Index” (SEQI), achieving the highest overall performance score among large states in India. This index was designed to assess the quality of school education across states, focusing on key parameters like learning outcomes, access, equity, and infrastructure. Rajasthan and Karnataka also ranked highly, while Uttar Pradesh was at the bottom of the list for large states.

Explain; The practice of *Sati Pratha* was declared illegal and punishable during the tenure of **Lord William Bentinck**, who was the Governor-General of British India at the time. The abolition of *Sati* was formalized by Regulation XVII in **1829**.

Explain: The element with an atomic number greater than that of Bromine (atomic number 35) is:

(a) Silver

Atomic number of Silver (Ag) is 47.
Atomic number of Copper (Cu) is 29.
Atomic number of Iron (Fe) is 26.
Atomic number of Chromium (Cr) is 24.

Explain: Earth Hour is organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). It is a global event held annually, where individuals, communities, and businesses are encouraged to turn off non-essential lights for one hour to raise awareness about climate change and the importance of energy conservation.

Explain: It is situated in the Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh and is known for its rich biodiversity and dense forests.

Explain:The breakdown of pyruvate into lactic acid in our muscles is caused by a lack of oxygen during intense physical activity.

When oxygen levels are insufficient for aerobic respiration, muscle cells switch to anaerobic respiration, leading to the conversion of pyruvate into lactic acid. This buildup of lactic acid can cause muscle fatigue and soreness.

Explain: Bhavai and Kalbelia are traditional dance forms that originate from the Indian state of Rajasthan. Bhavai is a folk dance form typically performed by women balancing pots on their heads, while Kalbelia is a dance of the Kalbelia tribe, known for its graceful, snake-like movements.

Explain: The **hypothalamus** is the part of the brain that helps regulate the body’s temperature. It acts like a thermostat, maintaining the body’s temperature within a certain range by triggering processes like sweating or shivering to adjust heat levels as needed.

Explain:The silver coins of the Gupta period were known as Rupyakas or Rupaka.

These coins were characterized by high silver content and intricate designs, often depicting the rulers and various deities, reflecting the prosperity and cultural richness of the Gupta Empire.

Explain; India’s rank improved from 161 in 2023 to 159 in 2024, but this was because other countries had slipped in their rankings. The government has in the past dismissed international rankings of freedoms in India as propaganda.

Solution

The Supreme Court of India has declared access to the internet a fundamental right under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution. This article ensures the freedom of speech and expression, which the Court ruled includes the right to access the internet as a medium for exercising these freedoms.

Explain: In India, the **Minimum Support Price (MSP)** for agricultural crops is decided by the **Government of India** based on recommendations from the **Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)**. The CACP, an advisory body, considers factors such as cost of production, market price trends, demand-supply balance, and overall impact on the economy before making its recommendations. The final decision on MSP is taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).