DART 30-07-26 - Questlink IAS

Governance

Q1. Consider the following statements with reference to the IndiaAI Mission:

I. The IndiaAI Compute pillar aims to establish a high-end, scalable AI computing ecosystem to support India's AI startup and research ecosystem.

II. The Foundation Models pillar focuses on developing indigenous Large Language Models (LLMs), Multimodal Models and domain-specific Small Language Models to strengthen sovereign AI capabilities.

III. The Safe & Trusted AI pillar is primarily intended to provide venture capital financing to AI startups throughout their lifecycle.

Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct?

Statement II strengthens the objective stated in Statement I.
Statement III contradicts the objective of Statement II.
Statements I and II together support India's goal of achieving sovereign AI capabilities.

Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(d) 3 only

Ans: (a)

Explanation

The IndiaAI Mission comprises seven pillars to build India's AI ecosystem through computing infrastructure, indigenous AI models, innovation, governance and startup support.
The IndiaAI Compute pillar aims to establish a high-end, scalable AI computing ecosystem to support India's AI startups and research community. Hence, Statement I is correct.
The Foundation Models pillar focuses on developing indigenous Large Language Models (LLMs), Multimodal Models and Small Language Models, thereby strengthening India's sovereign AI capabilities. Hence, Statement II is correct.
The Safe & Trusted AI pillar promotes responsible AI through governance frameworks, fairness, privacy and safety. Startup financing is provided under the IndiaAI Startup Financing pillar, not under Safe & Trusted AI. Hence, Statement III is not correct.

Analysis of the Relationships

The computing infrastructure created under Statement I enables the development of indigenous AI models described in Statement II. Thus, Statement II strengthens the objective of Statement I. Hence, Relationship 1 is correct.
Since Statement III itself is incorrect, it cannot contradict the objective stated in Statement II. Hence, Relationship 2 is not correct.
Together, Statements I and II provide both the computational infrastructure and indigenous AI models required to achieve sovereign AI capabilities. Hence, Relationship 3 is correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Other pillars are:

IndiaAI Application Development Initiative (IADI): To support the development, scaling, and deployment of impactful AI solutions capable of driving large-scale socio-economic transformation across critical sectors.
IndiaAI FutureSkills: To build a robust AI talent pipeline by establishing specialised Data and AI Labs in Tier 2 and 3 cities, providing student fellowships, and developing industry-aligned curricula to democratise AI education.
AIKosh (IndiaAI Datasets Platform): To create a unified platform providing seamless access to high-quality datasets, models, and tools, integrating resources from government and non-government entities to foster open innovation.

Geography

Q2. Consider the following statements:

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Central Water Commission (CWC) use Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning models for rainfall and flood forecasting.
Flood forecasting alerts issued by IMD and CWC are disseminated to the public through the Sachet App, Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), and Cell Broadcast System.

Which one of the following is correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (c)

Explanation

India is strengthening its disaster preparedness framework by integrating advanced forecasting technologies with digital early warning systems.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Central Water Commission (CWC) use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) models to improve rainfall, flood and flash flood forecasting. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Flood alerts generated by IMD and CWC are disseminated through the Sachet App, SMS-based Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) and the Cell Broadcast System to authorities and the public. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Science & Tech

Q3. With reference to Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs), consider the following statements:

Electricity required to propel the vehicle is generated onboard through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen.
The only direct emission from the fuel cell is water vapour.
Hydrogen is burnt inside the engine cylinder to generate mechanical power.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) None

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

The National Green Hydrogen Mission has launched pilot projects deploying both Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (HFCVs) and Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H₂-ICE) vehicles.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) convert the chemical energy of hydrogen directly into electricity without combustion.
In an FCEV, hydrogen reacts electrochemically with oxygen inside the fuel cell, generating electricity that powers an electric motor. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The principal by-product of the electrochemical reaction is water (water vapour and liquid water), making FCEVs zero tailpipe carbon-emission vehicles. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Burning hydrogen inside an engine is the mechanism of a Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H₂-ICE), not a fuel cell vehicle. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Science & Tech

Q4. Which of the following observatories/telescopes is/are located at Hanle?

Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT)
Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE)
GROWTH-India Telescope
Devasthal Optical Telescope

Select the correct answer using the code below.

(a) 1 and 4 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (c)

Explanation

India recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) at Hanle, highlighting its contributions to optical and infrared astronomy and announcing plans for next-generation telescopes at the site.
The Himalayan Chandra Telescope is located at Hanle. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) is also located at Hanle. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
The GROWTH-India Telescope operates from Hanle. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
The Devasthal Optical Telescope is located at Devasthal, Uttarakhand, not Hanle. Hence, Statement 4 is not correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Governance

Q5. Consider the following statements:

Statement I: PM Vidyalaxmi provides benefits only to students admitted on merit to designated Quality Higher Educational Institutions (QHEIs).

Statement II: Students admitted through Management Quota and NRI Quota are not eligible to avail benefits under the scheme.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, and Statement II explains Statement I.

(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, but Statement II does not explain Statement I.

(d) Statement I is not correct, but Statement II is correct.

Ans: (a)

Explanation

PM Vidyalaxmi is intended to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent meritorious students from pursuing higher education in designated Quality Higher Educational Institutions (QHEIs).
The scheme is available only to students who secure merit-based admission to designated Quality Higher Educational Institutions (QHEIs). Hence, Statement I is correct.
Students admitted through Management Quota, NRI Quota, or similar non-merit-based admission categories are not eligible under the scheme. Hence, Statement II is correct.
Statement II correctly explains Statement I, as the exclusion of Management and NRI quota admissions ensures that the scheme is restricted to merit-based admissions, thereby fulfilling its objective of supporting deserving students.

Hence, option (a) is correct.