GK Questions

Photovoltaic (PV) cells use semiconductor materials (typically silicon) to convert photons from sunlight directly into electrical current via the photovoltaic effect. Solar thermal uses heat to generate steam for turbines. PV is the technology behind solar panels widely promoted under India's National Solar Mission.

Section 66A was struck down by the Supreme Court in Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015) for violating freedom of speech. It criminalized 'offensive' online content but was overly broad. Current IT Act provisions focus on cybercrime, data protection, and intermediary liability. Important for legal awareness in government exams.

LRU cache requires O(1) access and O(1) reorder on access. Hash map provides O(1) key lookup; doubly linked list maintains usage order with O(1) move-to-front. Combined, they achieve O(1) get/put operations. Classic system design question for SSC JE and banking IT exams.

The anchor tag <a> with href attribute creates hyperlinks in HTML. Example: <a href='https://example.com'>Link</a>. Fundamental for web development basics tested in SSC and Railway exams. Other tags: <img> for images, <p> for paragraphs, <div> for containers.

Root (superuser) in Linux has UID 0 and bypasses all permission checks, allowing full system control. This power requires careful usage to avoid security risks. Best practice: use sudo for specific administrative tasks instead of logging in as root. Critical concept for system administration questions in technical exams.

pwd (print working directory) displays the absolute path of the current directory in Linux/Unix systems. ls lists directory contents, cd changes directory, and dir is a Windows command. Essential for navigation and scripting in command-line environments frequently tested in SSC JE and Railway exams.

India's AI ecosystem includes: RAISE summit for global dialogue on ethical AI, Bhashini for inclusive AI in Indian languages, National AI Portal (by MeitY & NASSCOM) for resources and collaboration. Supported by research centers (C3i, T-Hub), industry partnerships, and policy frameworks. Aims to balance innovation with ethics, inclusion, and national interest.

IRDAI regulations require any entity underwriting insurance policies to be a registered insurer or corporate agent. InsurTech startups typically partner with licensed insurers as technology providers, aggregators, or distribution partners. Regulatory sandbox allows testing innovations, but core risk-bearing activities remain with regulated entities to protect policyholders.

SMRA (Simultaneous Multiple Round Auction) allows bidders to bid on multiple spectrum lots across bands in multiple rounds, with prices rising based on demand. Used in India's 2G/3G/4G/5G auctions. Promotes price discovery, reduces exposure risk (bidding on complementary blocks), and enhances efficiency vs sequential auctions.

Crystal oscillators use piezoelectric quartz crystals whose resonant frequency depends on physical dimensions (thickness, shape) and crystal cut (AT, BT, SC). Thinner crystals resonate at higher frequencies. Used for precise clock generation in microcontrollers, communication systems, and digital circuits. Temperature-compensated (TCXO) and oven-controlled (OCXO) variants improve stability.

Arrow operator (->) accesses structure members via pointer: ptr->member equivalent to (*ptr).member. Dot operator (.) is for direct structure variables. Understanding pointer arithmetic and memory layout is crucial for systems programming, embedded development, and technical exams. Common source of segmentation faults if misused.

Algorithmic accountability mandates transparency in AI systems: documenting data sources, model design, testing results, and decision logic. Enables auditing, bias detection, and redressal. Supported by DPDP Act, sectoral guidelines, and global frameworks. Critical for high-stakes AI in finance, healthcare, and governance where decisions impact rights and opportunities.

AML (Anti-Money Laundering) transaction monitoring uses AI/ML to analyze transactions in real-time, flag suspicious patterns, and generate regulatory reports (STRs). Reduces manual effort, improves detection accuracy, and ensures compliance with RBI/FIU-IND guidelines. Part of broader RegTech suite including KYC automation, risk assessment, and audit trails.

Wi-Fi Offloading redirects mobile data traffic from cellular networks to Wi-Fi hotspots to reduce congestion and improve user experience. Implemented via ANDSF (Access Network Discovery and Selection Function) in 4G/5G. Benefits: cost savings for users/operators, better indoor coverage. Requires seamless authentication and handover mechanisms.

Thevenin's Theorem: any linear circuit = voltage source (Vth) + series resistance (Rth). Norton's Theorem: equivalent = current source (In) + parallel resistance (Rn). They are duals; conversion: Vth = In × Rn. Essential for circuit analysis, load matching, and troubleshooting. Applicable to AC circuits using impedance.

Lists ([]) can be modified after creation: append, remove, change elements. Tuples (()) cannot be changed once created, making them hashable and usable as dictionary keys. Immutability provides safety for fixed data, while mutability offers flexibility for dynamic collections. Choosing appropriately improves code correctness and performance.

OECD AI Principles (2019) provide values-based guidelines for trustworthy AI: inclusive growth, human-centered values, transparency, robustness, and accountability. Adopted by 40+ countries including India. Influences national policies, corporate governance, and international cooperation on AI. Complements technical standards from ISO/IEC and IEEE.

Common Wallet framework (proposed by RBI) aims to enable interoperability among PPIs (wallets) so users can transact across different wallet providers seamlessly. Similar to UPI's interoperability for bank accounts. Would enhance competition, user choice, and financial inclusion. Implementation details and timeline under regulatory consultation.

5GC (5G Core) uses service-based architecture (SBA) with cloud-native principles: microservices, containerization, CI/CD. Contrasts with 4G EPC's monolithic design. Benefits: flexibility, scalability, faster feature deployment, and network slicing support. IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) handles voice/video services and works with both EPC and 5GC.

Zener diode operates in reverse breakdown region to maintain constant voltage across load despite input variations or load changes. Used in voltage regulators, reference circuits, and overvoltage protection. Key parameter: Zener voltage (Vz). Different from regular diodes which block reverse current until breakdown (which may damage them).