GK Express of 18/03/2025

Geography Coach

1) Which is the longest Glacier in the World?

The world's largest glacier is the Lambert-Fisher Glacier in Antarctica, spanning 400 kilometers long and up to 100 kilometers wide. 

Other notable glaciers:
Outside the polar regions: Fedchenko Glacier (77 km) in Tajikistan, Siachen Glacier (75 km) in Ladakh, and Biafo Glacier (67 km) in Pakistan. 

2) Which Indian river is known as the "Lifeline of Kerala" ?

The Periyar River is often referred to as the "lifeline of Kerala." It is the longest river in the state and plays a crucial role in providing water for drinking, irrigation, and generating hydroelectric power. 

3) What is the term for the boundary line between India and Afghanisthan?

Durand line. However, it's important to note that the Durand Line is the boundary between Afghanistan and Pakistan, not directly between India and Afghanistan. The Durand Line was drawn in 1893 during British colonial rule, and its legacy remains a contentious issue between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

4) Which state in India has the highest percentage of forest cover in terms of total forest area?

Madhya Pradesh. It has around 25% of its total area covered by forests, which is substantial, given its large geographical size. The state's forests are home to rich biodiversity, including famous national parks like Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Satpura, which are known for their wildlife and conservation efforts.

5) Which is the first National Park in India?

Jim Corbett National park, Uttarakhand

Indian Society Coach

6) The Shah Commission was appointed to investigate the excesses during which period in Indian history?

The Shah Commission was appointed to investigate the excesses during the Emergency (1975-77) period in Indian history.

The Emergency, declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was a time when civil liberties were suspended, and there were widespread allegations of human rights violations, including forced sterilizations and arrests without trial. The Shah Commission was established to examine and report on these abuses.

7) What is ‘Dowry Death’ under IPC?

Section 304B (If a woman dies due to harassment for dowry within 7 years of marriage, it is considered dowry death)

8) Which act prohibits the giving and receiving of dowry in India?

The Dowry Prohibition Act (1961) prohibits the giving and receiving of dowry in India.

It makes the practice of dowry a punishable offense and aims to curb the social evil associated with dowry, which often leads to violence against women. The act applies to all Indian citizens, and any demand for dowry during marriage or before it is considered illegal.

9) In which case did the Supreme Court rule that the right to life includes the right to live with dignity?

The Supreme Court ruled that the right to life includes the right to live with dignity in the landmark case of Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978).

In this case, the Court expanded the interpretation of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the "right to life and personal liberty," to include the right to live with dignity, meaning that any law or action depriving a person of their life or liberty must be just, fair, and reasonable. This ruling played a crucial role in broadening the scope of fundamental rights in India.

10) Who is the author of the book "The God of Small Things"?

The author of the book "The God of Small Things" is Arundhati Roy.

This novel, which won the Booker Prize in 1997, is her debut work and is set in Kerala, exploring themes of family, caste, and social issues.

Anthropology Coach

11) Which tribe in India is known for its matrilineal system? 

Khasi Tribe (Meghalaya)

A matrilineal system is a kinship system that traces lineage through a person's mother and other female ancestors. In a matrilineal system, people are considered to belong to the same descent group as their mother. 

How does a matrilineal system work?

A person is considered to belong to their mother's kinship group. A

 person's clan is traced through a female line. 

A person is considered to belong to their grandmother, great-grandmother, and so on. 

A person's property, titles, rights, and obligations may be inherited through their mother's line. 

12) What do you mean by Demography?

Demography is the study of human populations, especially their size, distribution, and structure?

13) Which anthropologist is known as the ‘Father of  Anthropology’? 

Franz Boas is considered the founder of modern anthropology, particularly in the United States, and is famous for his work on cultural relativism and his approach to studying human cultures in their own context, rejecting ethnocentrism.

14) What is the study of human origins and evolution called?

 Paleoanthropology

15) Which subfield of anthropology focuses on the study of language and its role in society?

Linguistic Anthropology