The question asks to identify the first Finance Minister of Independent India. This is a factual question related to Indian history and political appointments post-independence. Recalling the key cabinet positions and their holders in the first government of independent India is crucial.
Correct Option: B) R K Shanmukham Chetty was indeed the first Finance Minister of Independent India. He served from 1947 to 1949 and presented the first Union Budget of independent India.
The question asks to identify the country with which India signed a contract in April 2025 for the supply of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets. This is a factual question related to international defense deals and current affairs.
Correct Option: B) France is the country that manufactures the Rafale Marine fighter jets and with which India is signing the contract for their supply.
The question asks to identify the scientist who first accurately measured the speed of light using a rotating mirror apparatus in 1862. This requires knowledge of the historical experiments conducted to determine the speed of light.
C) Jean Bernard Léon Foucault — In 1862, Foucault used a rotating mirror apparatus to obtain a highly accurate value for the speed of light, improving upon Fizeau's earlier terrestrial measurement.
The question asks for the theoretical value of the Stefan-Boltzmann constant (\(\sigma\)), which is a fundamental physical constant. This constant relates the total energy radiated per unit surface area of a black body across all wavelengths per unit time to the fourth power of the black body's thermodynamic temperature. It's a value that needs to be recalled or recognized.
D) \(5.67 \times 10^{-8} \text{ Wm}^{-2}\text{K}^{-4}\) is the correct theoretical value of the Stefan-Boltzmann constant.
The question asks to identify the Buddhist scripture that explicitly states "All dhammas are without self," which is a direct affirmation of the Buddhist doctrine of Anatta (non-self). To answer this, one needs knowledge of key Buddhist texts and their core teachings.
Correct Option: A) Dhammapada. The Dhammapada, a revered Buddhist scripture, explicitly contains the verse "Sabbe dhamma anatta" (All dhammas are without self), which is a direct affirmation of the doctrine of Anatta.
The question asks to identify the specific initiative approved by the Union Cabinet in 2023 that focuses on developing quantum-encrypted communication for secure defense networks in India. This requires knowledge of recent government initiatives related to quantum technology and national security.
Correct Option: C) National Quantum Mission
The question asks how deforestation contributes to desertification. Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture. We need to identify the direct consequence of deforestation that leads to this land degradation.
B) It removes the top fertile soil layer, exposing hard, rocky layers. This is a direct and significant consequence of deforestation that leads to desertification. The removal of protective vegetation exposes the soil to erosion, washing away the nutrient-rich topsoil and leaving behind less fertile, often rocky, ground.
The question asks for the most direct impact of poor infrastructure on rural education. We need to analyze how poor infrastructure directly affects the ability of students to attend school regularly.
C) High student absenteeism — Poor infrastructure, such as bad roads, lack of transportation, and inadequate school facilities (like proper toilets or safe buildings), directly makes it difficult or undesirable for students to attend school regularly. Children may miss school due to travel difficulties, especially during monsoons, or due to unhygienic conditions. This directly leads to high absenteeism.
The question asks to identify the current national record holder in women's weightlifting (49 kg category) in India as of 2024. This requires knowledge of prominent Indian weightlifters and their achievements.
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu is a renowned Indian weightlifter who competes in the 49 kg category. She has achieved significant international success, including an Olympic silver medal. She also holds multiple national records in her category.
As of 2024, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu holds the national record in the women's 49 kg category. Her personal best and national record in the clean & jerk is 119 kg, and in total is 207 kg, both achieved at the 2021 Asian Weightlifting Championships.
B) Saikhom Mirabai Chanu — She is the current national record holder in the women's 49 kg weightlifting category in India, with a total lift of 207 kg (88 kg snatch + 119 kg clean & jerk).
The question asks for the location of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Sports Policy Network Roundtable Meeting & Forum. This requires knowledge of recent international event announcements, specifically related to APEC and sports policy.
Correct Option: A) Japan is the correct answer. The 2025 APEC Sports Policy Network Roundtable Meeting & Forum is scheduled to be held in Japan. This event focuses on fostering cooperation and sharing best practices in sports policy among APEC member economies.