History

Q1. In 2026, India is commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of a freedom fighter who was a freedom activist, educationist, geologist, agriculturist and polyglot. He served in the British Indian Army during the Second Boer War, later designed the initial version of the Indian National Flag, and presented it to Mahatma Gandhi during the 1921 AICC session at Bezwada (now Vijayawada). He was also popularly known as "Diamond Venkayya" and "Patti Venkayya".

Who among the following is being described above?

(a) Pingali Venkayya

(b) V. O. Chidambaram Pillai

(c) Alluri Sitarama Raju

(d) Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu

Ans: (a)

Explanation

  1. 2026 marks the 150th birth anniversary of Pingali Venkayya, remembered as the designer of the initial version of India's National Flag.
  2. Pingali Venkayya designed the initial version of the Indian National Flag, which later evolved into the present Tricolour adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 22 July 1947. He was also a geologist, agriculturist, educationist, polyglot, and served in the Second Boer War.
  3. V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, popularly known as "Kappalottiya Tamizhan", founded the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company to challenge British maritime monopoly.
  4. Alluri Sitarama Raju led the Rampa (Manyam) Rebellion (1922–24) against British rule in the tribal regions of present-day Andhra Pradesh. 
  5. Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu, popularly known as "Andhra Kesari", was a prominent freedom fighter and the first Chief Minister of Andhra State.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2293516&reg=48&lang=1



Geography

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the Cauvery River:

  1. It originates in the Brahmagiri Hills of the Western Ghats.
  2. It flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu before draining into the Bay of Bengal.
  3. The Kabini, Bhavani and Amaravati are among its major tributaries.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (d)

Explanation

  1. The Cauvery basin was recently in the news due to renewed concerns over inter-State water sharing between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
  2. The Cauvery River originates at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri Hills of the Western Ghats in Karnataka. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  3. The river flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
  4. Kabini, Bhavani and Amaravati are important tributaries of the Cauvery River. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (d) is correct.


Read More: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/distress-and-dispute-on-karnataka-tamil-nadu-and-the-cauvery/article71297936.ece


International Relations

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the Schengen Area:

  1. It allows passport-free travel among participating countries.
  2. All member countries of the European Union are part of the Schengen Area.
  3. A Schengen visa generally permits travel across all Schengen member countries.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Explanation

  1. The Schengen Agreement was recently in the news after some European leaders called for temporary restrictions on free movement amid migration concerns (recent surge in migration to the Spanish territory of Ceuta).
  2. Schengen Area: A passport-free travel zone comprising European countries that have abolished internal border checks, allowing people to move freely across participating states while maintaining a common external border policy. 
  3. The Schengen Area enables passport-free movement across participating countries by abolishing internal border controls. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  4. Not all European Union member states are part of the Schengen Area, while some non-EU countries also participate. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
  5. A Schengen visa generally allows travel across all Schengen member countries during its validity period. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.


Read More: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/ceuta-spain-migrants-schengen-france-meloni-10814840/?ref=explained_pg





Governance

Q4. With reference to India's solar sector, consider the following pairs:

Scheme/InitiativeObjective
1. PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli YojanaRooftop solar for households
2. PM-KUSUMSolarisation of agriculture and solar pumps
3. PM Surya Sarovar YojanaFloating solar projects with energy storage
4. Green Energy Corridor ProgrammeDomestic manufacturing of solar PV modules

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Ans: (c)

Explanation

  1. India's solar expansion is being supported through multiple flagship schemes focusing on generation, transmission infrastructure, manufacturing and distributed solar adoption.
  2. PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana promotes rooftop solar installations for households through Central Financial Assistance and collateral-free loans, enabling consumers to generate their own electricity and reduce electricity bills. Hence, Pair 1 is correctly matched.
  3. PM-KUSUM promotes solarisation of agriculture by supporting standalone solar pumps, feeder solarisation and decentralised solar power plants, while also enabling eligible farmers to sell surplus electricity to DISCOMs. Hence, Pair 2 is correctly matched.
  4. Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY) aims to develop 5,000 MW of floating solar capacity with co-located Energy Storage Systems, reducing pressure on land resources and improving grid reliability. Hence, Pair 3 is correctly matched.
  5. The Green Energy Corridor Programme is intended to strengthen transmission infrastructure and facilitate evacuation and grid integration of renewable energy from generation centres to demand centres. Domestic manufacturing of solar PV modules is promoted through initiatives such as the PLI Scheme and the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), not the Green Energy Corridor Programme. Hence, Pair 4 is not correctly matched.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2293256&reg=48&lang=1




Geography

Q5. Pyrocumulonimbus (PyroCb), recently seen in the news, refers to:

(a) A thunderstorm cloud generated by the intense heat, smoke and moisture released from a large wildfire.

(b) A cloud formed due to volcanic ash released during major volcanic eruptions.

(c) A cloud formed exclusively over oceans during tropical cyclones.

(d) A dense smoke layer that permanently blocks incoming solar radiation.

Ans: (a)

Explanation

  1. Pyrocumulonimbus (PyroCb) clouds were recently in the news as they were observed during large wildfires in Europe.
  2. A Pyrocumulonimbus (PyroCb) is a thunderstorm cloud produced by the intense heat of a wildfire. It can generate lightning, strong winds and even ignite new fires. Hence, Option (a) is correct.
  3. Volcanic eruptions may generate ash clouds, but these are different from PyroCb clouds formed by wildfires. Hence, Option (b) is not correct.
  4. Tropical cyclones produce cumulonimbus clouds, not pyrocumulonimbus clouds. Hence, Option (c) is not correct.
  5. Smoke plumes may reduce visibility but are not classified as PyroCb clouds. Hence, Option (d) is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.



Read More: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/why-europe-wildfires-bigger-harder-to-stop-10814047/