Medium Level – GK Questions

The Khajuraho temples (950-1050 CE), built by the Chandela dynasty, are renowned for intricate erotic sculptures symbolizing the celebration of life and spiritual union. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. [[1]]

The Ajanta Caves were among the first Indian sites inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1983, along with Ellora Caves, Taj Mahal, and others. They represent masterpieces of Buddhist rock-cut architecture. [[1]]

India's Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), launched in 2013, successfully entered Mars orbit in 2014. ISRO became the first Asian space agency and the fourth globally to reach Mars, at a record-low cost. [[30]]

India's first successful test of the Prithvi short-range ballistic missile was conducted on February 25, 1988. It marked a milestone in India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme under Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. [[30]]

India's first satellite 'Aryabhata' was launched on April 19, 1975, from the Soviet Union. It was named after the ancient Indian mathematician-astronomer and marked India's entry into space research. [[30]]

The Ranji Trophy, India's premier domestic first-class cricket championship, was named after Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji (1872-1933), who played for England and pioneered Indian cricket internationally. [[1]]

Abhinav Bindra won India's first individual Olympic gold medal in the 10m air rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His achievement inspired a new generation of Indian athletes. [[1]]

India won its first Olympic gold medal in hockey at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, defeating Netherlands 3-0. This began India's dominance in Olympic hockey with six consecutive golds (1928-1956). [[1]]

The Jnanpith Award, instituted in 1961, is India's highest literary honor for outstanding contribution to Indian literature in any scheduled language. It includes a cash prize and a citation. [[30]]

The Bharat Ratna was instituted on January 2, 1954, to recognize exceptional service in any field. The first recipients were C. Rajagopalachari, S. Radhakrishnan, and C.V. Raman. [[30]]

Amartya Sen won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1998 for his work on welfare economics, poverty, and famine. He is known for the capability approach and human development theory. [[30]]

National Emergency was proclaimed thrice: 1962 (China war), 1971 (Pakistan war), and 1975 (internal disturbance). The 44th Amendment (1978) made emergency provisions more stringent to prevent misuse. [[30]]

The Poona Pact was signed on September 24, 1932, between Gandhi and Ambedkar. It ensured reserved seats for Depressed Classes within joint electorates, replacing separate electorates proposed in the Communal Award. [[30]]

Judicial Review, the power to examine constitutionality of laws, is inherent in the Indian Constitution (Articles 13, 32, 226). It was reinforced by the Basic Structure Doctrine in Kesavananda Bharati case (1973). [[30]]

The Concurrent List (List III in Seventh Schedule) allowing both center and states to legislate on certain subjects was borrowed from the Australian Constitution. It facilitates cooperative federalism. [[30]]

The Government of India Act 1935 provided the structural framework for India's federal system, including the division of powers between center and states, though the Constitution made it more flexible and democratic. [[30]]

The 1991 economic reforms, known as LPG (Liberalization, Privatization, Globalization), dismantled the License Raj, opened India to foreign investment, and integrated the economy with global markets. [[1]]

The Second Five-Year Plan (1956-61), based on the Mahalanobis Model, emphasized heavy and capital goods industries to achieve rapid industrialization. It laid foundations for India's public sector. [[1]]

The Bombay Plan (1944) was drafted by leading Indian industrialists including J.R.D. Tata and G.D. Birla. It proposed state-led industrialization and planning, influencing post-independence economic policy. [[1]]

India was a founding member of the WTO established on January 1, 1995, succeeding GATT. India has actively participated in WTO negotiations, advocating for developing countries' interests in trade. [[30]]