International Relations

Q1. PosTransfer powered by UPI, recently seen in the news, is associated with a postal remittance service between India and which one of the following countries?

(a) United Arab Emirates

(b) Saudi Arabia

(d) Oman

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

PosTransfer powered by UPI is an international inward remittance service integrating postal networks with India's UPI ecosystem.
The recently launched service enables customers to send remittances from Qatar to UPI-enabled bank accounts in India through Qatar Post outlets.
It has been developed through collaboration involving Qatar Post, India Post, UPU-IP and NIPL.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Governance

Q2. With reference to the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+), consider the following statements:

It is a system for collection and management of data relating to school education in India.
It facilitates evidence-based planning and monitoring in the school education sector.
It is maintained by the University Grants Commission.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

The Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) is a digital platform used for comprehensive data collection and management to support planning and policymaking in school education.
UDISE+ collects and manages data relating to the school education system in India. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The data generated through UDISE+ supports evidence-based planning, policymaking and monitoring of educational progress. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
UDISE+ is associated with the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSE&L) under the Ministry of Education, and not the University Grants Commission (UGC). Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Science & Tech

Q3. With reference to Friedreich’s Ataxia (FRDA), recently seen in the news, consider the following statements:

It is a genetic disorder associated with mutations in the FXN gene.
It can progressively affect the nervous system and the heart.
The disorder is associated with reduced levels of the protein frataxin.
It is caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA.
An individual carrying only one copy of the disease-associated expanded variant necessarily develops the disease.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 2 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

Friedreich’s Ataxia (FRDA) is a hereditary genetic disorder caused by abnormalities in the Frataxin (FXN) gene, leading to progressive neurological and cardiac complications.
Almost all of the affected individuals come from consanguineous marriages. That is, marriages between relatives, such as uncles and nieces, or between cousins.
FRDA is associated with mutations, particularly repeat expansions, in the Frataxin (FXN) gene. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The disease progressively affects the nervous system and can cause serious heart-related complications. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
The Frataxin (FXN) gene codes for the protein frataxin, and reduced frataxin expression contributes to the disease. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
The disease-causing mutation occurs in the nuclear Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA), specifically in an intron of the FXN gene, and not in mitochondrial DNA. Hence, Statement 4 is not correct.
An individual carrying only one disease-associated expanded variant can be a carrier and does not necessarily develop Friedreich’s Ataxia. Hence, Statement 5 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Science & Tech

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Artemis Accords:

They are based on and affirm principles contained in the Outer Space Treaty.
They permit signatory countries to claim sovereignty over regions of the Moon where they undertake activities.

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

NASA’s invitation to ISRO to join its proposed Moon Base programme highlights a major opportunity for India to gain from international collaboration in advanced lunar exploration while strengthening its own long-term human spaceflight capabilities.
The Artemis Accords establish principles for cooperation and responsible conduct in civil space exploration.
The Accords draw upon and affirm key principles of the Outer Space Treaty. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The Accords do not permit national appropriation or sovereignty claims over the Moon. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

History

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding “Vande Mataram”:

It was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
It was originally written entirely in Sanskrit.
It was included in the novel Anandamath.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

2026 marks the 150th anniversary of “Vande Mataram”, commemorated as part of the Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign 2026.
“Vande Mataram”, India's National Song, was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and became an important symbol of the nationalist movement.
On 24 January 1950, the first two verses of “Vande Mataram” were accorded equal status and honour as India's National Song.
It was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
It was composed in a mixture of Sanskrit and Bengali, and not entirely in Sanskrit. Hence,Statement 2 is not correct.
It was included in Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel Anandamath. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.