1.

1. It is designed in the Māru-Gurjara architecture of Nagara style.

2. Iron has not been used anywhere in the construction.

3. The temple has a total of 856 columns.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct w.r.t. architecture of Ram Mandir Ayodhya?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1 and 3 only

2.

1. It is created in the earth’s atmosphere when cosmic rays slam into the atoms of the gases and release neutrons.

2. It readily combines with atmospheric oxygen to form radioactive carbon dioxide.

3. Its half-life is 12000 years.

4. Its concentration in the body is nearly constant and in equilibrium with its surroundings.

The correct statements w.r.t. Carbon-14 are

(a) 2, 3 and 4 only

(b) 1, 2 and 4 only

(c) 1, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3 only

3.

Consider the following statements:

1. Amarkantak Hills are at the confluence of Vindhya and Sahyadri Ranges

2. Biligirirangan Hills constitute the easternmost part of Satpura Range

3. Seshachalam Hills constitute the southernmost part of Western Ghats.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

b) Only two

c) All three

(d) None

4.

I. It is a Ramsar Site.

II. It is essentially a network of creeks and canals.

Which of the above statements is/are true w.r.t. Bhitarkanika national park?

(a) Only I

(b) Only II

(c) Both I & II

(d) Neither I nor II

5.

Which one of the following is not

correctly matched?

(a) Chang La - Jammu & Kashmir

(b) Rohtang - Himachal Pradesh

(c) Bomdi La - Arunachal Pradesh

(d) Se La – Uttarakhand

6.

I. It is a minor tectonic plate.

II. It is bound by four major tectonic plates.

Which of the above statements is/are true w.r.t. Indian Tectonic Plate?

(a) Only I

(b) Only II

(c) Both I & II

(d) Neither I nor II

7.

The famous poem ''Go Get Education'' was penned by

(a) Savitribai Phule

(b) Pandit Ramabai 

(c) Sarala Devi 

(d) Sarojini Naidu

8.

1. Its members are elected by the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

2. India is currently a member of the Commission.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct w.r.t. United Nations Statistical Commission?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

9.

Which one of the following east flowing rivers of India has a rift valley due to down warping?,

(a) Damodar

(b) Mahanadi

(c) Sone

(d) Yamuna

10.

1. Archean System contains the oldest rock formation of India.

2. The Gondwana deposits are laid down in synclinal troughs on ancient plateau surface.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct w.r.t. Rock Systems of India?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

11.

Consider the following statements:

1. Assam shares border with Bhutan and Bangladesh.

2. West Bengal shares border with Bhutan and Nepal.

3. Mizoram shares border with Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2, and 3

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1 and 3 only

o  

12.

1. They seek refuge in deep burrows during daylight.

2. They are insectivores.

3. They are well adapted to desert regions. 

Which of the above statements is/are correct w.r.t. Indian Pangolin?.

(a) 3 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

13.

Con sider the following rivers:

1. Kishenganga

2. Ganga

3. Wainganga

4. Penganga

The correct sequence of these rivers when arranged in the north-south direction is

(a) 1, 2, 3, 4

(b) 2, 1, 3, 4

(c) 2, 1, 4, 3

(d) 1, 2, 4, 3

14.

Where is Singchung Bugun Village Community Reserve?

(a) Arunachal Pradesh

(b) Manipur

(c) Tripura

(d) Nagaland

15.

With reference to the Himalayan range, which of the statements is/are correct?

1. The sedimentary rocks of the greater Himalayas were fossil less.

2. Marine livings fossils are found in the sedimentary rocks of lesser Himalayas.

3. Remains of human civilization are found in outer or Shivalik Himalayas.

4. Kashmir Himalayas has a landform known as ‘Karewa’.

(a) 1, 3 and 4 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3 only

16.

The Tropic of Cancer passes through

(a) Odisha

(b) Jharkhand

(c) Maharastra

(d) All the above

17.

1. Zanskar Range 

2. Dhauladhar Range 

3. Ladakh Range 

4. Karakoram Range  

The correct South to Northward sequence of the above relief features is  

(a) 2, 1, 3, 4

(b) 2, 3, 4, 1 

(c) 4, 3, 2, 1

(d) 4, 2, 1, 3

18.

Assertion (A): Anticyclonic conditions are formed in the winter season when atmospheric pressure is high and air temperatures are low.

Reason (R): Winter rainfall in northern India causes the development of anticyclonic conditions with low temperatures.   

(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 a correct explanation of A

(c) A is true but R is false

(d) A is false but R is true

19.

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists.

(a) I-3, II-5, III-1, IV-4

(b) I-3, II-1, III-2, IV-5

(c) I-2, II-1, III-3, IV-4

(d) I-1, II-4, III-2, IV-5

20.

Consider the following statements.

1. Structurally, the Meghalaya plateau is an extended part of the Deccan plateau.

2. The Valley of Kashmir is a synclinal valley.

3. The Gangetic plain was formed in a fore deep.

Which of these statements is/are correct?

(a) 2 and 3

(b) 1 and 3

(c) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

21.

I. Kolkata witnesses the longest day in the month of June.

II. Chandigarh will have the longest daytime in comparison to Hyderabad.

Which of the above statements is/are true?

(a) Only I

(b) Only II

(c) Both I & II

(d) Neither I nor II

22.

Which one of the following latitudes passes through maximum Indian states?

(a) 20° N latitude

(b) 22° N latitude

(c) 24° N latitude

(d) 26° N latitude

23.

I. It is the state animal of Kerala.

II. Eravikulam National Park in Kerala has the highest density and largest surviving population of Nilgiri tahr.

Which of the above statements is/are true w.r.t. Nilgiri tahr?

(a) Only I

(b) Only II

(c) Both I & II

(d) Neither I nor II

24.

Match List 1 with List 2

Codes

(a) A-4; B-1; C-2; D-3

(b) A-2; B-3; C-5; D-1

(c) A-4; B-3; C-2; D-1

(d) A-2; B-1; C-5; D-3

25.

With reference to the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA), consider the following statements:

1. It is a statutory body constituted under the Companies Act, 2013.

2. It regulates the auditing profession and accounting standards in India.

3. Its members are appointed by an industry led consortium from private sector.

How many of the statements given above are correct?.

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All the three

(d) None if these

1.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nagara-architecture-392-pillars-5-mandaps-decoding-ram-janmabhoomi-mandirs-key-features-101705892188859.html

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/nagara-style-ayodhya-ram-temple-9118010/

C

2.

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/radiocarbon-dating-history-science-revolution-politics-explained/article67692713.ece

B 

3.

Amarkantak (NLK Amarakaṇṭaka) is a pilgrim town in Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh, India. The Amarkantak region is a unique natural heritage area and is the meeting point of the Vindhya and the Satpura Ranges, with the Maikal Hills being the fulcrum.

The Billigirirangan hills, also known as Biligiriranga Hills or BR Hills, are not a part of the Satpura range. The Biligirirangana Hills or Biligirirangan Hills  is a hill range situated in south-western Karnataka, at its border with Tamil Nadu (Erode District) in South India. The area is called Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary or simply BRT Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Sesachalam hills, also known as Tirumala hills, are not a part of the Western Ghats. Seshachalam Hills are hilly ranges part of the Eastern Ghats in southern Andhra Pradesh state, in southeastern India. The Seshachalam hill ranges are predominantly present in Tirupati district of the Rayalaseema region in Andhra Pradesh, India.

D

4.

https://iasgoogle.com/current_affair/january-19-2024-current-affairs

Bhitarkanika National Park:

• Location: It is located in Kendrapara district in the state of Odisha.
• It is India’s second-largest mangrove ecosystem after the Sunderbans. 
• It is a 145 Sq km large national park which was designated on 16th September 1998 and obtained the status of a Ramsar site in August 2002, i.e. the second Ramsar site of the State after the Chilika Lake. 
• This National Park is a network of creeks and canals which are inundated with waters from rivers Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra and Patasala, forming a unique ecosystem.
• Flora: Mangrove species, casuarinas, and grasses like the indigo bush.
• Fauna:
• Bhitarkanika has one of the largest populations of endangered saltwater crocodiles in India.
• The Gahirmatha Beach, which forms the boundary of the park in the east, is the largest colony of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.
• Other mammals include monkeys, jackals, common langurs, otter, sambar deer, jungle cats, fox, Mongoose, wolfs, fishing cats, hyenas, etc.

Saltwater crocodile:

• Saltwater crocodiles, or estuarine crocodiles, are enormous creatures and the world''s largest living reptiles.
• Scientific name: Crocodylus porosus
• Distribution: It inhabits brackish waters of wetlands and marine intertidal environments from SriLanka, India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar east to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and south to Australia’s northern coast.
• Features:
• The average male is 5m in length and weighs around 500kg, while females are significantly smaller.
• They are nocturnal hunters.
• The species is known for its aggressive nature, as shown by numerous attacks on people and livestock each year.
• Conservation Status:
• IUCN: Least Concern

C

5.

Nathu La Pass is located at an altitude of 14,140 feet and 53 kms from Gangtok, Sikkim.

• Nathu La is a high-altitude pass situated on the old silk route at the Indo-China border and is the favorite hotspot for tourists in Sikkim.
• Nathu La offers the mesmerizing view of the Chumbi valley of Tibet, guarded by mountains.
• Nathu La Pass was the place through which the famous Silk Route used to operate until 1962 when the Indo-China war broke out.

• Lipulekh Pass also known as Lipu-Lekh Pass/Qiangla or Tri-Corner is a high altitude mountain pass situated in the western Himalayas in Uttarakhand with an extraordinary height of 5,334 meters. 
• It is an International mountain pass between India, China, and Nepal.
• In Uttarakhand, Lipulekh Pass comes under Chaudans valley of Dharchula, a sub-district of Pithoragarh district in the Kumaon region where it links with the Byash Valley of Nepal and with Tibet, an Autonomous Region of China.
• The famous pilgrimage of Hinduism to Mount Kailash that is known as Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, traverse from this pass.
• Rohtang pass is located in Himachal Pradesh.
• At an elevation of 13,054 ft, Rohtang Pass serves as the gateway to Lahaul and Spiti valleys in Himachal Pradesh.
• About 53 km from Manali, it connects Kullu valley with Lahaul and Spiti which in turn provide access to Leh.
• Besides Lahaul and Spiti, Rohtang Pass also serves as the gateway to Pangi and the valley of Leh.
• Like the Zojila Pass, Rohtang also serves as the gateway to Ladakh.
• Palghat Gap is a major break in the Western Ghats mountain range, in southwestern India.
• It is located between the Nilgiri Hills to the north and the Anaimalai Hills to the south. 
• it is about 32 km wide and straddles the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, serving as a major communication route between those two states.

A

6.

https://iasgoogle.com/current_affair/january-20-2024-current-affairs   https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/indian-tectonic-plate-is-breaking-into-two-its-happening-beneath-tibet-2489741-2024-01-17

A

7.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/who-was-savitribai-phule-192nd-birth-anniversary-8357861/

https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/savitribai-phule-jayanti-2024-celebrating-india-s-first-woman-teacher-124010300302_1.html

A

8.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/india-starts-four-year-term-as-un-statistical-commission-member/articleshow/106445998.cms

Recently, India started its four-year term as a member of the United Nations Statistical Commission.

• It was established in 1947 and is the highest body of the global statistical system.
• It brings together the Chief Statisticians from member states from around the world.
• Functions:
• It is the highest decision-making body for international statistical activities, responsible for setting statistical standards and the development of concepts and methods, including their implementation at the national and international levels.
• The Statistical Commission oversees the work of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), and it is a Functional Commission of the UN Economic and Social Council.
• Membership: The Commission consists of 24 member countries of the United Nations elected by the United Nations Economic and Social Council based on an equitable geographical distribution according to the following pattern:
• Five members from African States
• Four members from Asia-Pacific States
• Four members from Eastern European States
• Four members from Latin American and Caribbean States
• Seven members from Western European and other States
• Term: The term of office of members is four years.
• India was a member of the Statistical Commission last in 2004 and the country is returning to the UN agency after a gap of two decades.
• Headquarter: New York

C

9.

Damodar is a east flowing river with rift valley due to down warping. Down warp denotes a segment of the earth’s crust that is broadly bent downward.

A

10.

• The Archean system contains the oldest rock formation of India.
• These rocks have been termed as a result of the hot-molten earth becoming cold.
• The rocks of the Archaean system are found mainly in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Chotanagpur plateau in Jharkhand and the southern-eastern part of Rajasthan.

 As a geological unit, India comprises a series of rock systems belonging to different ages and periods. The rock system system of India has been classified under the following four categories:

1.    Archaean Rock System

2.    The Purana Rock System

3.    The Dravidian Rock System 

4.    The Aryan Rock System 

Archaean Rock System

It refers to a rock system before the Cambrian system. They are considered the oldest rock system in the world. The further classification of the Archaean Rock System is as follows:

1.    The Archaean System – Gneisses & Schists

·         Period of Formation: These are considered the oldest rocks, formed about 4 billion years ago at the time of the cooling and solidification of molten magma in the upper crust of the earth’s surface.

·         Features: 

o    Azoic (unfossiliferous)

o    Crystalline (because of volcanic origin)

o    Foliated (consisting of thin sheets)

o    Extremely contorted and faulted

o    Often formed as plutonic intrusions (volcanic rocks found deep inside)

·         Major Rocks:

o    Gneiss: These cover two-thirds of peninsular India. Their mineral composition varies from granite to gabbro. They possess foliated or banded structures. 

o    Schists: These are mostly crystalline. 

·         Location: 

o    Himalayas

o    Central and southern parts of the Peninsula

o    Orissa, Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Chotanagpur Plateau of Jharkhand

o    Bundelkhand

·         Significance: 

These rocks consist of mineral resources like mica, talc, hornblende, chlorite, etc.

2.    The Dharwar System

This rock system derives its name from the rocks identified and studied in the Dharwar district of Karnataka. They are found in abundance in the Dharwar district of Karnataka.

·         Period of formation:

o    These rocks were formed and deposited in 3 major cycles, the period of which ranges from 3,100 million years ago to 1,000 million years ago.

·         Features: 

o    They are the most ancient metamorphosed sedimentary rock system in the world formed due to the metamorphosis of sediments of Archaean gneisses and schists

·         Major Rocks: 

o    Hornblede, Schists, Quartzites, Phyllites, Slates, Crystalline Limestones and Dolomites. 

·         Location:

o    Dharwar-Bellary-Mysore belt of Karnataka

o    Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha etc.

o    Himalayan region

·         Significance: These are the most important rocks in an economic sense as they possess valuable minerals like high-grade iron-ore, manganese, copper, lead, gold, etc.

The Purana Rock System 

Period of Formation: These rocks were formed during the Proterozoic period (1400-600 million years ago). But, in the Indian context, the word Purana has been used instead of Proterozoic, so they are named the Purana Rock system.

Features: These are sedimentary metamorphic formations and are unfossiliferous. 

Major Rocks: Clay, Slates, Sandstones, limestones, durable stones, etc. 

Location: The Cuddapah system is found in the Cuddapah and Kurnool districts of Andhra Pradesh. They are also found in the southern part of Chhattisgarh and along the main axis of the Aravalli range. The Vindhyan Rock system is found in a stretch extending between Sasaram and Rohtas in Bihar to Chittorgarh in Rajasthan.

Significance: The Cuddapah Rock system has rich deposits of iron, manganese, copper, cobalt, nickel, etc. The Vindhyan Rock System has deposits of limestone, ornamental stones, and pure glass-making sand. 

Classification of Purana Rock System: This rock system is further subdivided into two systems – the Cuddapah System and the Vindhyan System.

1. Cuddapah System: 

·         It is called the Cuddapah system because the rock outcrops were first observed in the Cuddapah district of Andhra Pradesh.

·         These were deposited in the synclinal basins. 

·         These are unfossiliferous rocks.

·         Some of the rocks in this category are clay, slates, sandstones, and limestones.

·         These rocks contain ores of iron, manganese, copper, cobalt, nickel, etc.

2. Vindhyan System:

·         This rock system derives its name from the great Vindhyan mountains.

·         These are ancient sedimentary rocks superimposed on the Archaean base with a thickness of 4000 m thick.

·         These are mostly unfossiliferous devoid of any recognisable fossils. 

·         They occupy an area of 1,00,000 sq. km.

·         They are found in Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh etc. 

·         Vindhayan system has diamond-bearing regions from which Panna and Golconda diamonds have been mined. They are devoid of any kind of metalliferous minerals but provide large quantities of durable stones, ornamental stones, limestone, pure glass-making sand, etc.

The Dravidian Rock System (Palaeozoic)

·         Period of formation: 600-300 million years.

·         Features: The Dravidian period marked the onset of coal formation, particularly the high-quality Carboniferous coal. However, abundant deposits of these coals are not found in India. These are abundant in fossils and the beginning of coal can be seen in this period. 

·         Major Rocks: Shales, sandstones, clays, quartzites, slates, salts, etc. 

·         Location: These are found in the Extra Peninsular region and are rarely found in the Peninsular region. The regions of Anantnag of Kashmir, Spiti, Kangra & Shimla region of Himachal Pradesh, Handwara, Lider Valley, Gharwal & Kumayun of Uttarakhand, and Pir Panjal are the major regions of Dravidian rocks.

·         Significance:

These include mineral resources like shale, sandstones, clays, quartzites, salts, talk, dolomite, marble, coal etc. 

·         Classification of Dravidian Rock System: 

o    The Cambrian Rocks: They are best developed in the northwest Himalayan region.

o    The Ordovician Rocks: These include quartzites, grits, sandstones, etc. 

o    The Silurian Rocks: These are found in the Lahoul and Spiti Valley. They exist in the form of limes and shales.

o    The Devonian Rocks: These are devoid of any fossil fuel remains.

o    The Carboniferous Rocks: 

§  The Carboniferous rocks formed around 350 million years ago comprise mainly limestone, shale, and quartzite. Carboniferous in geology means coal-bearing. It was during this period the coal formation started.

The Aryan Rock System

·         Period of formation: Upper Carboniferous period to Recent.

·         Location: They are found in the Peninsular and Himalayan regions.

·         Classification of Aryan Rock System: 

o    The Gondwana System: It derives its name from Gonds, the most primitive people of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

§  Period of formation:  Permian period (250 million years ago).

§  Features: They are of continental origin, fluviatile, and lacustrine deposits laid down in synclinal troughs on ancient plateau surfaces.

§  Location: The locations of the Gondwana rock system are Damodar Valley in Jharkhand, Mahanadi River Valley in Chhattisgarh and Odisha, parts of Madhya Pradesh, etc.

§  Major Rocks: They have rich deposits of iron ore, copper, uranium, and antimony. Sandstones, slates, and conglomerates are used as building materials.

§  Significance: They are important as they contain nearly 98 percent of India’s coal reserves. 

o    Jurassic System: These are named after the Jura mountains located on the borders of France and Switzerland.

§  Period of Formation: They were formed between 201.3 million to 145 million years ago. 

§  Features: The marine transgression in the latter part of the Jurassic gave rise to a thick series of shallow water deposits in Rajasthan and Kuchchh.

§  Location: They overlay the Triassic system and cover wide areas in Tibet, South Ladakh, Spiti, Nepal, and Bhutan. 

§  Major Rocks: Coral limestone, sandstone, conglomerates, and shales.

§  Significance: The rock strata laid down during the Jurassic Period have yielded gold, coal, petroleum, and other natural resources.

·         The Deccan Trap:

o    Period of formation: During the transition from the end of the Cretaceous to the beginning of the Eocene, an extensive volcanic upheaval occurred across Peninsular India that led to the formation of the Deccan Traps. The eruption resulted in the discharge of basaltic lava from fissures, covering an expansive region of approximately ten lakh square kilometers.

o    Features: These volcanic deposits are distinct with flat tops and steep sides. They have been named ‘traps’ derived from the Swedish term which means ‘ stair’ or ‘step.’ The processes of weathering and erosion have significantly diminished the size of the Deccan Traps, shaping the present geological landscape. 

o    Major Rocks: The rocks in this region are of basalt type. The weathering of these rocks for a long time has given birth to black cotton soil known as ‘regur’.

o    Location: The current extent of the Deccan Trap spans approximately 5 lakh square kilometers, primarily distributed across regions such as Kuchchh, Saurashtra, Maharashtra, the Malwa plateau, and northern Karnataka.

The Deccan Trap has been classified into the following groups:

·         The Upper Trap – Saurashtra and Maharashtra.

·         The Middle Trap – Malwa and Central India. 

·         The Lower Trap – Central India and Tamil Nadu.

·         Significance: Regur which is black soil was formed due to the weathering of these rocks for a long time. It is an ideal soil type for cotton in the Penisnular region. 

·         The Tertiary System: The Tertiary period holds immense geological significance as it marks an era during which the Himalayan mountain range came into existence.

o    Period of formation: 60 to 7 million years

o    Features: This period played a pivotal role in shaping India’s present geographical form. It is called the “Age of Mammals” because of the abundance of the fossil remains of these animals in the deposits of this period. 

o    Major Rocks: The most significant rocks of this system may be found in India’s northern plains, in Kashmir’s karewas, and the Great Plains’ Bhangar, and Khadar.

o    Location: Their significant locations are in India’s northern plains, in Kashmir’s Karewas and the Great Plain. These are also found along the coasts of Kachchh, Kathiawar, Konkan, Malabar, Nilgiri, and the Eastern Ghats.

o    Significance: The rocks of this period have revealed a wealth of petroleum and coal deposits.

·         Shivalik System 

It takes its name from the Shiwalik hills between the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. Sandstones, grits, conglomerates, clays, and silts comprise the rock of this system. The Shiwalik system is famous for its oil resources, lignite, bauxite, and clays of different varieties.

·         The Pleistocene and Recent (Quartnery)

Quaternary is a brief period of nearly one million years and is said to have started. It has two types –  the older Pleistocene and the younger Recent. The fossiliferous clays, sands, and gravels of the Upper Satluj and the alluvial deposits in the river valleys of Tapi, Godavari, and Krishna belong to this age. The recent deposits in India are alluviums in the Indo-Gangetic region. These have been categorized as Bhangar and Khadar.

C 

11.

Assam is located in the north-eastern part of India. - In the North, it is bounded by the kingdom of Bhutan and state of Arunachal Pradesh. - To the East, it is bounded by the states of Nagaland and Manipur. - To the West it is bounded by Bangladesh and states of Meghalaya and West Bengal.

West Bengal also shares its borders with three countries because of its narrow northward extension. Those countries are-Bangladesh to the East and Nepal and Bhutan in the North.

Mizoram is a landlocked state in North East India whose southern part shares 722 kilometres long international borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh, and northern part share domestic borders with Manipur, Assam and Tripura.

A

12.

https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/mp-wildlife-pangolin-conservation-project-succeeds-in-state

Pangolins

• Pangolins, also known as scaly anteaters, are the only known mammals with large keratin scales covering their skin. 
• Of the eight species found worldwide (four each in Asia and Africa), two are found in India: the Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and the Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla). 

Indian Pangolin:

• The Indian pangolin, also called the thick-tailed pangolin, is native to the Indian subcontinent.
• They are one of the most trafficked mammals in the world, despite an international ban on their trade.
• Distribution: It lives in India (south of the Himalayas), Bangladesh, Southern Nepal, Sri Lanka, and small parts of Pakistan.
• Habitat:
• They are well adapted to desert regions and prefer barren, hilly areas. Their habitat extends up to 2,500 feet above sea level.
• Overall, they prefer soil that is soft and semi-sandy, suitable for digging burrows.
• They have also been shown to survive in various types of tropical forests, open land, grasslands, and in close proximity to villages.
• Features:
• Like other pangolins, it has large, overlapping scales on its body, which act as armor.
• The Indian pangolin’s armor is among the most effective in the mammalian world. It has about 13 rows of moveable, sharp scales covering its body, which are shed periodically.
• The colour of its scales varies depending on the colour of the earth in its surroundings. 
• It can also curl itself into a ball as self-defense against predators.
• It is an insectivore, feeding on ants and termites.
• It is nocturnal and it rests in deep burrows during the day.
• Conservation status:
• IUCN Red List: Endangered 
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
• CITES: Appendix I

D 

13.

Kishenganga river is called the Neelam river in Jammu & Kashmir. Ganga river originates from the Gangotri glacier in Uttarakhand. Wainganga originates about 12 km from the Mundra village of Seoni district on the southern slopes of the Satpura range of Madhya Pradesh. Penang is a river found in the Yavatmal District of Maharashtra.

A

14.

https://theprint.in/india/arunachals-bugun-community-reserve-home-to-endangered-species/1940165/

A

15.

Fossils from living marine creatures are found in the sedimentary rocks of the lesser Himalayas, which is true. Evidence of human civilization can be found in the outer or Shivalik Himalayas. The sedimentary rocks of the greater Himalayas do have fossils. 

Kashmir Himalayas has a landform known as ‘Karewa’. This consists of a series of plateaus that are above the Jhelum river and its branches. People who live there call it ‘Karewas’ or ‘Vuhr’.

Bhabar is a narrow strip of flat land running next to the Himalayas in northern India. It is only 8-16 km wide and is covered with stones. The many streams that flow down from the hills have created beds with very high levels of porosity, so that all the streams disappear into the Bhabar. South of the Bhabar is the Tarai belt, which is 15-30 km wide and covered with marshy and swampy areas. This zone has lots of vegetation and is home to a variety of wildlife.

B

16.

The Tropic of Cancer goes almost right through the middle of India.

It goes through 8 Indian states, such as Mizoram, Tripura, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat.

B 

17.

• The Dhauladhar range (The White Range) is part of a lesser Himalayan chain of mountains.
• It rises from the Indian plains to the north of Kangra and Mandi.
• They begin from near Dalhousie at the northwest end of Himachal Pradesh and pass through the state to the vicinity of the bank of the Beas River in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh.
• Zanskar Range is spread over a vast area from southeastern boundaries of the state of Kashmir and extends in the northwest direction to the eastern limits of Baltistan.
• It separates Ladakh from the valleys of Kashmir and the Chenab River.
• its Elevation is 7,756 m.
• Ladakh Range lies to the north of the Leh and is an important part of the Trans-Himalayan range that merges with the Kailash range in Tibet.
• The important passes that lie to the northeast of Leh are- Kardung La and Digar La.
• Karakoram Range is also known as Krishnagiri which is situated in the northernmost range of the Trans-Himalayan ranges.
• It forms India''s frontiers with Afghanistan and China and acts as a watershed between India and Turkestan.
• K2 is the second-highest peak in the world and highest in the Indian Territory.
• It has been named Godwin Austen by the Britishers and Qogir by China.

A

18.

The winter rainfall in Northern India is locally known as Mahawat. Extratropical storms are worldwide marvels with dampness generally conveyed in the upper climate, dissimilar to their tropical partners where the dampness is conveyed in the lower environment. The chilly climate season starts from mid-November in northern India and remains till February. December and January are the coldest months in the northern piece of India. The temperature diminishes from the south toward the north. The normal temperature of Chennai, on the precipitation happens on the Tamil Nadu coast from these breezes as here they blow from ocean to land. In the northern piece of the nation, a weak high-pressure district creates, light breezes moving outwards from this region. Affected by the alleviation, these breezes blow through the Ganga valley from the west and the northwest. Clear sky, low temperatures, and low mugginess, and weak, variable breezes typically set the climate apart.

During the winter season, the North-Western part of India gets rainfall from Western disturbances.

• The north-western plains of India experience winter rainfall due to the invasion of the western disturbances rising from the Mediterranean sea, steered by the westerly jetstream.
• As the western disturbances are associated with the cyclonic winds, they bring rainfall.
• Western disturbances, specifically the ones in winter, bring moderate to heavy rain in low-lying areas and heavy snow to mountainous areas of the Indian Subcontinent.
• They are the cause of most winter and pre-monsoon season rainfall across northwest India.
• Western Disturbances are nothing but low-pressure systems on the upper atmosphere which form over the Mediterranean region and travel east across the globe.
• When these low-pressure systems come into the Indian subcontinent they get blocked by the Himalayas and precipitate rain in Northwestern plains and as snow in higher altitudes of the Western Himalayas.
• After precipitating over Northwest India they weaken and devoid of moisture they blow as dry winds creating dense fog over the Northern plains of India.

A

19.

I. Deccan Traps: These are large igneous provinces located on the Deccan Plateau of west-central India, which were formed during the Cretaceous-Eocene period,

II. Western Ghats: The Western Ghats are a mountain range that covers an area of 160,000 square kilometres in a stretch of 1,600 kilometres parallel to the western coast of the Indian peninsula. They were formed during the Late Cenozoic period.

III. Aravalli: The Aravalli Range is a range of mountains running approximately 692 km in a northeast direction across the Indian states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Haryana. It is considered part of the Pre-Cambrian period.

IV. Narmada-Tapi: They are two rivers in Central India. The region between them is formed of sedimentary rock from the Pleistocene period.

B

20.

Meghalaya Plateau

• The Deccan Plateau of peninsular India extends further east beyond the Rajmahal hills to Meghalaya or the Shillong plateau. Hence option 2 is correct.
• Garo-Rajmahal Gap separates this plateau from the most block.
• This gap was formed by down-faulting. It was later filled by sediments deposited by the Ganga and Brahmaputra.
• The plateau is made by Archaean quartzites, shales and schists.
• The plateau slopes right down to Brahmaputra valley within the north and therefore the Surma and Meghna valleys within the south.
• Its western boundary coincides with the Bangladesh border.
• The western parts of the plateau are known as the Garo Hills, central parts of the plateau are known as the Khasi-Jaintia and the eastern parts of the plateau are known as the Mikir Hills.
• Shillong is the highest point of the plateau.

 Pir Panjal Valley

• The Pir-Panjal Range is a collection of mountains in the Lesser Himalayan region that spans the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir as well as Pakistan-administrated Kashmir.
• It runs from east-southeast (ESE) to west-northwest (WNW).
• The Dhauladhar and PirPanjal ranges are gradually elevated in the Himalayas.
• The Lesser Himalayas'' largest range is called PirPanjal.
• It splits from the Himalayas close to the Sutlej River''s bank, creating a rift between the Chenab and the Beas and Ravi rivers on opposite sides.
• This range also contains the well-known
• The area was formerly Kashmir''s historical link to India and is connected to the Valley of Kashmir via the Mughal Road.
• At the eastern extremity of the mountain range are two significant peaks, DeoTibba (6,001 m/19,688 ft) and Indrasan (6,221 m/20,410 ft).
• This range is home to the Kashmiri hill resort of Gulmarg.
• The Mughal Road links Rajouri and Poonch with the Kashmir valley by the PirPanjal Pass, also known as Peer Ki Gali.
• At 3,490 metres (11,450 feet), it is the highest point on the Mughal Road and is located southwest of the Kashmir Valley.
• The Jawahar Tunnel, which connects Banihal with Qazigund on the opposite side of the mountain, is 1.6 miles (2.5 km) long and passes through the Pir Panjal Mountain beneath the Banihal pass.

Passes in Pir Panjal

• Pir Panjal Pass (3,480 m), the Bidil (4,270 m), Golabghar Pass (3,812 m) and Banihal Pass (2,835 m).
• The Banihal Pass is used by the Jammu-Srinagar highway and Jammu-Baramula railway.
• The Kishanganga, the Jhelum and the Chenab cut through the range.
• Southeast of the Ravi, the Pir Panjal continues as Dhaola Dhar range, passing through Dalhousie, Dharmshala, and Shimla.

Important Valleys

• Between the Pir Panjal and the Zaskar Range of the main Himalayas, lies the valley of Kashmir. (average elevation is 1,585 m above mean sea level)
• The synclinal basin of the valley is floored with alluvial, lacustrine [lake deposits], fluvial [river action] and glacial deposits. {Fluvial Landforms, Glacial Landforms}
• Jehlum River meanders through these deposits and cuts a deep gorge in Pir Panjal through which it drains. (Kashmir is like a basin with very few outlets)
• In Himachal Pradesh there is Kangra Valley. It is a strike valley and extends from the foot of the Dhaola Dhar Range to the south of Beas.
• On the other hand, the Kulu Valley in the upper course of the Ravi is transverse valley.

Strike valley vs. Transverse valley

• A valley perpendicular to the slope or parallel to the ridge [also called as longitudinal valley]
• In contrast, transverse streams cut valleys parallel to the slope (along the dip).

The Indo-Gangetic Plains evolved as a consequence of filling up of a foredeep basin in front of the rising Siwalik Ranges. Earlier, the Siwalik foredeep had come into existence due to the flexing down of Indian plate following the collision of India with Asia.

d 

21.

Solstice is an astral event that occurs twice, once in the summer and once in the winter, year after year when the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky as seen at the North or South Pole. In summer the solstice day is the longest day of the year and in winter the solstice day is the shortest day of the year. June is Summer Solstice in the Northern hemisphere and Winter Solstice in South similarly; December is the Winter Solstice in the Northern hemisphere and the Summer Solstice in the Southern hemisphere. In other words, December Solstice is a winter season in the northern hemisphere and is the shortest day of the year while it is summer time in the southern hemisphere and the day longest of the year. To dodge any misunderstandings, Solstices are also known as June Solstice (Northern Solstice) and December Solstice (Southern Solstice).

During the summer solstice, the day is longer and the nights shorter. The summer solstice falls during the June solstice in the northern hemisphere. Summer solstice occurs sometime between June 20 and June 22, depending on the movement of the calendar.

In India, Kolkata witnesses the longest day in the month of June (Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere).

• The length of the day depends upon the geographic latitude of a place and upon the inclination of the sun.
• It is due to this inclination that as we go northwards in summer in the northern hemisphere, the hours of daylight increase steadily.
• Because of which at the North Pole, there will be six months of continuous daylight.
• By this concept, It is clear that places located at higher latitudes will get longer daytime.
• Here, the latitude of the places:
• ​Thiruvananthapuram: 8.52oN,
• Hyderabad: 17.38oN,
• Chandigarh: 30.7oN,
• Nagpur: 21.14oN.
• Chandigarh is located at the highest latitude i.e: 30.7oN and will get the longest daytime.

• At the equator, the length of the day is constant and equals 12 hours.
•  In the northern hemisphere, the length of the day is more than 12 hours during the spring and summer while less than 12 hours during the autumn and winter.

C

22.

C 

23.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/eravikulam-national-park-to-be-shut-from-february-1-for-calving-season-of-nilgiri-tahr/article67793519.ece

Eravikulam National Park:

• Location: It is located along the Western Ghats in the Idukki district of Kerala.
• It was declared as National Park in 1978.
• The Park covers an area of 97 sq.km.
• The highest peak south of the Himalayas, the Anamudi (2695 meters), is situated on the southern side of the park.
• This is also the land of “Neelakurinji”, the flower that blooms once every twelve years. 
• Climate: The park receives heavy showers during the southwest (June/July) and retreating (October/November) monsoons and is one of the wettest areas of the world.
• Vegetation: The major part of the park is covered with rolling grasslands, but several patches of shola forests are also found in the upper part of the valley. 
• Flora:
• Important flora includes Actinodaphne bourdilloni, Microtropis ramiflora, Pittosporum tetraspermium, Sysygium aronottianum, Chrysopogon Zelanieus, etc.
• The shola grasslands are exceptionally rich in balsams and orchids, including the long thought extinct variety Brachycorythis wightii.
• Fauna:
• The Nilgiri Tahr, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Nilgiri Langur, Tiger, Leopard, Giant Squirrel, and wild dog are the common species.
• Half the world population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr lives here.
• The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world, is seen in this park.
• 140 species of birds, of which 10 are unique to the Western Ghats. More than 100 varieties of butterflies have been recorded here. 

Key Facts about Nilgiri tahr:

• It is an endangered mountain ungulate endemic to the southern part of the Western Ghats. 
• Scientific Name: Nilgiritragus hylocrius
• Locally, the animal is called ‘Varayaadu’.
• They are known for their gravity-defying skills in climbing steep cliffs, earning them the nickname Mountain Monarch.
• It is the state animal of Tamil Nadu.
• Distribution:
• Their present distribution is limited to approximately 5% of the Western Ghats in southern India (Kerala and Tamil Nadu).
• Eravikulam National Park in Kerala has the highest density and largest surviving population of Nilgiri tahr. 
• Habitat: They inhabit the open montane grassland habitats at elevations from 1200 to 2600 m of the South Western Ghats.
• Features:
• It has a stocky body with short, coarse fur and a bristly mane. 
• Both sexes have curved horns, which are larger in the males, reaching up to 40 cm in males and 30 cm in females. 
• Adult males develop a light grey area or ’saddle’ on their backs and are hence called ‘saddlebacks’.
• It has a short grey-brown or dark coat.
• Conservation Status:
• IUCN Red List: Endangered
• Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972: Schedule I

B 

24.

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary - Goa

Kangerghat National Park - Chhattisgarh

Orang Sanctuary - Assam

Ushkothi Wildlife Sanctuary - Orissa.

C

25.

National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA):

• It is a statutory body constituted under Section 132 of the Companies Act, 2013.
• It was established as an independent authority to regulate the auditing profession and accounting standards in India.
• Its goal is to enhance the country''s financial statement quality and consistency and to guarantee that businesses and financial institutions report accurate and fair information.
• Composition:
• The Companies Act requires the NFRA to have a chairperson who will be appointed by the Central Government and a maximum of 15 members.
• The appointment of such chairperson and members are subject to the following qualifications:
• They should be having an expertise in accountancy, auditing, finance, or law.
• They are required to make a declaration to the Central Government that there is no conflict of interest or lack of independence in their appointment.
• All the members, including the chairperson, who are in full-time employment, should not be associated with any audit firm (including related consultancy firms) during their term of office and 2 years after their term.
• The NFRA has the following responsibilities:
• Make recommendations on the foundation and laying down of accounting and auditing policies and standards;
• Monitor and enforce the compliance of the accounting standards and auditing standards:
• Oversee the quality of service of the professionals (such as auditors, CFOs, etc.) and suggest measures required for improvement in the quality of service;
• Perform other functions related to the above.
• Powers:
• NFRA has the power to investigate, either suo moto or on a reference made to it by the Central Government, into the matters of professional or other misconduct committed by any member or firm of chartered accountants registered under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949.
• It has the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, while trying a suit.
• Where professional or other misconduct is proved, it shall have the power to impose punishment.
• Any person who is not satisfied with the order of the NFRA can then make an appeal to the Appellate Authority.
• Jurisdiction of NFRA:
• The jurisdiction of the NFRA for the investigation of Chartered Accountants and their firms would extend to listed companies and large unlisted public companies, the thresholds for which shall be prescribed in the Rules.
• The Central Government can also refer such other entities for investigation where public interest would be involved.
• Head Office: New Delhi

B