GK Express of 13/02/2025

Social Reforms & Movements Coach

1. Which social reformer was called “The Father of Indian Renaissance” and what was his major contribution?

Raja Ram Mohan Roy; He abolished Sati (1829) and founded the Brahmo Samaj (1828) for social reforms.

2. Who gave the quotation "Go back to Vedas!"

Dayananda Saraswathi, founded Aarya Samaj in 1875.

3. What was the significance of the Vaikom Satyagraha (1924-25)?

It was the first temple entry movement in India, led by Sree Narayana Guru and Periyar, demanding lower-caste access to temples in Travancore.

4. Which law abolished the Devadasi system in India?

The Devadasi (Prevention of Dedication) Act, 1988, aimed at stopping the exploitation of young girls in temples.

5. Who led the Self-Respect Movement in Tamil Nadu, and what was its purpose?

E.V. Ramasamy Naicker; also known as Periyar. It promoted rationalism, self-respect, and caste abolition among the oppressed sections. Self Respect movement was started by S. Ramanathan in 1925

6. Which movement worked for the upliftment of dalits and lower caste? 

Satyashodhak Samaj (1873) founded by Jyoti Rao Phule which fought against caste discrimination.

Internal Security Coach

6. What is the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)

A law to combat terrorism and unlawful activities which given special powers to arrest and investigate terror suspects. Strengthened in 2019 to allow the government to designate individuals as terrorists.

7. What is the role of the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID)?

It is a cyber-security and intelligence-sharing platform linking databases from various government agencies to combat terrorism.

8. Which force is primarily responsible for securing India’s international borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh?

Border Security Force (BSF).

9. What is India’s primary anti-terrorism law?

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, amended in 2019 to designate individuals as terrorists.

10. What is Naxalism?

A communist inspired armed movement that started in Naxalbari, West Bengal in the year 1967 which aims to overthrow the Indian state through violent means.

Biodiversity Coach

11. Which Indian biodiversity hotspot has the highest number of endemic species?

The Western Ghats; it is home to many endemic plant, amphibian, and reptile species.

12. Why is India called mega biodiverse country?

India is one of the 17 mega diverse countries in the world, it has 4 biodiversity hotspots Himalayas, Indo Burma,  Western ghats and Nicobar Islands.

Note: Brazil is the most mega biodiverse country in the world.

13. Which species is considered the keystone species of the Indian rainforest ecosystem?

The Asian Elephant; it plays a crucial role in seed dispersal and habitat maintenance.

14. What is the significance of the “Montreux Record” under the Ramsar Convention?

It lists wetlands under threat due to ecological changes; India’s Keoladeo National Park and Loktak Lake are on this list. India has 75 Ramsar Sites which is largest in Asia.

15. Which is the largest biosphere reserve in India?

The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, covering 10,500 sq km along the Tamil Nadu coast.

16. Which is the first National park in India?

Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand (1936)