[DAY 28] 60 DAY RAPID REVISION (RaRe) SERIES for UPSC Prelims 2024 – HISTORY, CURRENT AFFAIRS & CSAT TEST SERIES!

Solution (c)

Solution (d)

 Note:

• Women writers like Ghosha, Lopamudra, Gargi, Maitreyi, Apala, Romasha Brahmavadini,, right from the days of the Vedas (6000 B.C. – 4000 B.C.), focused on the image of women in mainstream Sanskrit literature.
• The songs of Buddhist nuns (6th century B.C.) like Mutta and Ubbiri and Mettika in Pali express the torment of feelings for the life left behind.
• The Alwar women poets (6th century A.D.), like Andal and others, gave expression to their love for the divine.
• Lal Ded (1320-1384), the Muslim poetess from Kashmir, Lalded & Habba Khatun, represented the Sant tradition of bhakti and wrote Vakhs (maxims), which are peerless gems of spiritual experience.
• Meera Bai (1502–1556 AD), in Gujarati, Rajasthani, and Hindi (she wrote in three languages), Avvayyar, in Tamil, and Akkamahadevi in Kannada, are well known for their sheer lyrical intensity and concentrated emotional appeal.
• Their writings speak to us about the social conditions prevailing at that time, and the position of women at home and in society. They all wrote small lyrics or poems of devotional fervor, metaphysical depth, and with a spirit of dedication and utmost sincerity. Behind their mysticism and metaphysics is a divine sadness. They turned every wound inflicted by life into a poem.
• Atukuri Molla or Mollamamba (1440 A.D. -1530 A.D.) was a Telugu poet who authored the Telugu language Ramayana.

Solution (c)

Solution (b)

Note:

Literature of Vedic Tradition comprises of 6 literary works –

Vedangas, Smriti Dharmashastras, Mahakavyas, Puranas, Upvedas, Shad-Darshanas.

There are 6 Vedangas –

1. Shiksha (Phonetics): ‘Pratishakhya’ is the oldest text on phonetics.
2. Kalpa Sutras (Rituals):
   1. Shrauta Sutras/Sulva Sutras: deal with sacrifices
   2. Grihya Sutras: deal with family ceremonies
   3. Dharma Sutras: deal with Varnas, Ashramas
3. Vyakarana (Grammar): ‘Ashtadhyayi’ (Panini) is the oldest grammar of the world
4. Nirukta (Etymology): ‘Nirukta’ (Yask) based on ‘Nighantu’ (Kashyap) is a collection of difficult vedic words (‘Nighantu’: oldest word-collection of the world; ‘Nirukta’: oldest dictionary of the world)
5. Chhanda (Metrics): ‘Chhandasutras’ (Pingal) is a famous text in this tradition.
6. Jyotisha (Astronomy): ‘Vedanga Jyotisha’ (Lagadh Muni) is the oldest Jyotisha text.

Solution (b)

Solution (c)

Solution (c)

Solution (b)

Solution (d)

• The Jain sacred literatures were initially preserved orally from the time of Mahavira. These literatures were systematized by the Jain council from time to time. The first systematization of the Jain canonical literature took place in a council at Pataliputra (Patna) by the end of 4th Century B.C. and again in two other councils in the early 3rd century B.C. in Mathura and Valabhi. The fourth and last Jain council took place at Valabhi in 454 or 467 4.D. This council is said to be the source of the Svetambara Jain scripture.
• The Svetambara canon consists of 45 Agamas: 11 Anga (parts) (originally consisted of 12 Angas, the 12th having been lost) 12 Upanga (sub-parts) 4 Mula-Sutra, 6 Chedasutras, 2 Chulika-sutras, 10 Prakirnakas (mixed texts). This makes the canon of the lain (Svetambara) religion.
• Thus, the Svetambaras follow the Agama as their secret scripture. The Digambaras, however, are of the opinion that the original canon of Jainism is lost and that the substance of Mahaviras’ message is contained in the writings of ancient religious figures. They recognise two works in Prakrit: the Karmaprabhrita – chapters on Karman composed by Puspandanta and Bhutabalin and the Kashayaprabhrita – chapters on Kasayas composed by Gunudhara.

Solution (c)

Solution (a)

Note:

Second Buddhist council:

• The second Buddhist council was held under the patronage of King Kalasoka of the Sisunaga dynasty. It took place in 383 BC, a hundred years after the Buddha’s death.
• It took place at Vaishali. The council was chaired by Sabakami.
• The main goal was to address 10 controversial Vinaya Pitaka issues.
• The first significant split occurred here, separating two factions that would eventually become Theravada and Mahayana.
• The first group was known as Thera (meaning Elder in Pali). They wished to keep Buddha’s teachings in their original form.
• The second, Mahasanghika (Great Community) group interpreted the Buddha’s teachings more broadly.

Solution (c)

Solution (a)

Note:

Svetambara School:

• Svetambaras follow the preachings of Prasvanatha, i.e., they believe in only four restraints (except Brahmacharya) to be followed to attain Kevalya.
• Sthulabhadra was a great exponent of this school and stayed in Magadha unlike Bhadrabahu who went to Karnataka.
• Svetambara tradition of Jainism indicates five eternal substances in existence: Soul (jiva), Matter (pudgala), Space (akasha), motion (Dharma) and rest (Adharma), unlike Digambaras which add the sixth eternal substance as time (Kala).

Digambara School:

• Bhadrabahu was an exponent of Digambara sect and he moved to Karnataka along with his disciples after predicting a long famine.
• Digambara Jains believe that women can’t be tirthankaras and that Malli was a man.

Solution (a)

Note:

• The Buddha taught orally – through discussion and debate. After his death (c. fifth-fourth century BCE), his teachings were compiled by his disciples at a council of “elders” or senior monks at Vesali (present-day Bihar).
• These compilations were known as Tripitaka – literally, three baskets to hold different types of texts. They were first transmitted orally and then written and classified according to length, as well as subject matter.
• The Vinaya Pitaka included rules and regulations for those who joined the Sangha or the monastic order; the Buddha’s teachings were included in the Sutta Pitaka; and the Abhidhamma Pitaka dealt with philosophical matters.
• Each Pitaka comprised a number of individual texts. Later, commentaries were written on these texts by the Buddhist scholars. As Buddhism traveled to new regions, such as Sri Lanka, other texts, such as the Dipavamsa (literally, the chronicle of the island) and Mahavamsa (the great chronicle) were written, containing regional histories of Buddhism.
• Many of these works contained biographies of the Buddha. Some of the oldest texts are in Pali, while later compositions are in Sanskrit. When Buddhism spread to East Asia, pilgrims, such as Fa Xian and Xuan Zang, traveled all the way from China to India in search of texts.
• Indian Buddhist teachers also traveled to faraway places, carrying texts to disseminate the teachings of the Buddha. Buddhist texts were preserved in manuscripts for several centuries in the monasteries in different parts of Asia. Modern translations have been prepared from Pali, Sanskrit, Chinese and Tibetan texts.

Solution (a)

Solution (c)

Solution (c)

Vatsa:

• Vatsa is also known as Vamsa.
• Capital of the Mahajanapada Vatsa was Kausambi (which was at the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna). It is situated in the modern day Allahabad.
• This was a central city for economic activities.
• Trade and business prospered in the 6th century. After the rise of Buddha, the ruler Udayana made Buddhism a state religion.
• This Mahajanapada followed the monarchical form of governance.

Solution (a)

Solution (c)

Solution (c)

Note:

The ownership of large tracts of land came to be regarded as the prized possession for chieftains, as increased land brought more agricultural surplus and higher tribute collection to a chieftain’s Janapada or territory. It was this search for individual ownership of more and more land that finally culminated into the emergence of a large kingdom or Mahajanapadas around 6th century BC.

Solution (b)

• The Kawah Ijen Crater Lake is the world’s largest acidic lake. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• It is filled with a high concentration of sulphuric and hydrochloric acids, as well as dissolved minerals, which makes it unswimmable.
• It is located in Indonesia. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
• It has pH values as low as 0.5, similar to the strength of car battery acid.
• It is known for its turquoise blue waters. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• It emits hot, flammable sulphurous gases that ignite upon contact with Earth’s oxygen-rich atmosphere.

Solution (c)

India Stack is the moniker for a set of open APIs and digital public goods that aim to unlock the economic primitives of identity, data, and payments at population scale. Although the name of this project bears the word India, the vision of India Stack is not limited to one country; it can be applied to any nation, be it a developed one or an emerging one. Having said that, this project was conceptualized and first implemented in India, where its rapid adoption by billions of individuals and businesses has helped promote financial and social inclusion and positioned the country for the Internet Age.

• India Stack refers to the project of creating a unified software platform to bring India’s population into the digital age.
• India Stack is a set of open APIs that allows governments, businesses, startups and developers to utilize a unique digital Infrastructure to solve India’s hard problems towards presence-less, paperless, and cashless service delivery. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• The principles, technologies, and functionality of India Stack can be applied in any country. None of the systems which comprise India Stack require any proprietary technology or intellectual property which would preclude their implementation in any other country. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• India Stack is the largest open API in the world. Since its deployment, India has been organizing hackathons to develop applications for the APIs. Hence statement 1 is correct.

Solution (b)

The key findings of the State of Climate Services Report for 2023 released by the World Meteorological Organisation. Hence statement 2 is correct.

• Around 50 percent of excess mortality resulting from climate change by the year 2050 will occur in Africa. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
• Around 74 percent of the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) provide data services for the health sector but it was not utilised effectively for the health sector.
• Around 85 percent of nations lack a formal agreement between the Ministry of Health and the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) to facilitate data sharing and collaboration.
• Only 26 countries have climate-informed, heat-health early warning systems.
• Less than 25 percent of health ministries utilise climate information and services to monitor climate-sensitive health risks.

Solution (b)

• The Ogasawara Island Chain is a volcanic arc located in the Pacific Ocean. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
• It consists of more than 30 islands. It comprises three main island groups Mukojima, Chichijima, and Hahajima.
• It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• It is mainly formed through phreatomagmatic eruptions. It occurs when magma interacts with seawater and produces explosive bursts of steam and ash. Hence statement 3 is correct.

Solution (b)

• The Subansiri River passes through the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• It is the largest tributary of the river Brahmaputra. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• It originates in the Tibet Plateau and enters India through Miri hills in Arunachal Pradesh. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.

Solution (c)

• Geoglyph refers to a design that is drawn on the earth. The design is created by elements of the landscape that are long-lasting such as stones, earth, gravel, and other things.
• Nazca Lines in Peru and Uffington White Horse in England are examples of Geoglyph. 

Types of Geoglyphs:

• Positive Geoglyph is created by arranging elements on the ground, such as petroforms. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• Negative Geoglyph is created by removing part of the upper surfaces of rock to create a design. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• Arbor glyph is a type of geoglyph involving seeding plants in a specific design. It takes years to develop as it depends on plant growth.

Solution (b)

• Ao community are tribe from Nagaland. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
• They were the first nagas to embrace Christianity and incorporate Western education.
• Putu Mende is a governance system of Ao. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• They practice slash-and-burn agriculture, also known as jhum or shifting cultivation (tekong lu or alu ayimba).
• Moatsü and Tsüngremong are festivals celebrated by them. Hence statement 3 is correct.

Solution (c)

• The NDMA Cell Broadcast Alert System is a state-of-the-art technology that allows the government to send critical and time-sensitive messages for disaster management to all mobile devices within a designated geographical area. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• It has applications in delivering emergency alerts, such as severe weather warnings
  (Tsunami, Flash Flood, Earthquake, etc), public safety messages, evacuation notices, and other critical information.
• It was developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics(C-DOT) under the Department of Telecommunication. Hence statement 2 is correct.

Solution (b)

• The Paintbrush Swift Butterfly is a butterfly species of the Hesperiidae family.
• The species has never been photographed in Himachal Pradesh since its discovery in 1878.
• Recently this is the first time that it is photographed and documented.
• It was first described by lepidopterist Frederic Moore more than 145 years ago.
• It is identified based on two separated spots in the upper forewing cell.
• The species’ larvae feed on bamboo and some other grass species.
• Its habitat is distributed in northeast, central, and south India.

Solution (c)

Remainder R = (1421*1423*1425)/12

R = (5*7*9)/12

[Here, we have taken individual remainder such as 1421 divided by 12 gives remainder 5, 1423 and 1425 gives the remainder as 7 and 9 on dividing by 12.]

Now, the sum is reduced to,

(5*7*9)/12 = (35*9)/12

R = -1*-3

= 3

[Here, we have taken negative remainder.] So, required remainder will be 3.

Solution (d)

Let the digits of x be

x = abcde

According to the question,

x = 1bcde [Given ten thousands place is 1.]

Now we can check the options as given that the sum of the all digit is divisible by 3.

10080 is the only number given in the option which satisfies all the given conditions.

Solution (a)

Suppose their paths cross after x minutes

Then,

11 + 57x = 51 – 63x

⇒ 57x + 63x = 51 – 11

⇒ 120x = 40

x = (1/3)

Number of floors covered by David in (1/3) min

= (1/3)*57

= 19

So, their paths cross at (11 + 19) i.e., 30th floor.

Solution (c)

Total student = 100

Boys = 60

Girls = 40

Boys who plays hockey = 40% = 24

There is no information about boys who play badminton.

Girls who plays Badminton = 75% = 30

No girls plays hockey.

Since, we do not have information that whether the rest of the boys are playing badminton or not. So, we cannot determine the total no. of student who don’t play any game.

Solution (d)

In the above picture AB is the ladder and AC is the wall.

Foot of the ladder is at B and it is 4.6 meter away from the wall. That means, it is 4.6 meter away from the point C. Therefore, BC = 4.6 meter.

It is given in the question that the angle of elevation of the ladder leaning against the wall is 60 degree. The angle of elevation is an angle that is formed between the horizontal line and the line of sight.

Here the horizontal line is BC and the line of sight is AB. Therefore, the angle between the lines BC and AB is 60 degrees. So angle B is 60 degrees.

Now we need to find out the length of the ladder. That is, the length of BC.

We know that, cosθ=base/hypotenuse Here base is BC and hypotenuse is AB and θ=60∘. Therefore, cos(60∘)=BCAB ⇒12=4.6AB ⇒AB=4.6×2 ⇒AB=9.2

Therefore, the length of the ladder is 9.2 meter. Hence, option (d) is correct

Solution (b)

• The Kondaveedu Fort is located in Andhra Pradesh. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
• It was the capital of the Reddi dynasty between 1328 and 1482. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• It was taken over by the Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya in 1516. The Golconda Sultans fought for the fort and Sultan Quli Qutb Shah captured it in 1579 and renamed it Murtazanagar. The fort came under the control of the French colonists in 1752 when it was extensively fortified. It passed on to the British East India Company who got control of the fort in 1788 but abandoned it in the early 19th century in favour of Guntur.
• It was constructed by Prolaya Vema Reddi. Hence statement 3 is correct.