Governance

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) Fund:

It was created as a public charitable trust during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The corpus of the Fund can increase through both voluntary contributions and interest earned on its investments.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (c)

Explanation

The PM CARES Fund was established in March 2020 to deal with emergency and distress situations, and recent financial statements highlighted changes in its corpus, donations and utilisation.
The Fund was created as a public charitable trust during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Its corpus can grow through voluntary donations as well as interest income earned from investments of the corpus. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
The recent financial statements showed that while donations had declined, interest accrual contributed significantly to the growth of the Fund's corpus.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Science & Tech

Q2. Consider the following description:

It is an enzyme involved in DNA replication that unwinds and separates the two strands of the DNA double helix. It uses energy derived from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to break the bonds between complementary bases. Its action creates a Y-shaped replication fork, exposing each DNA strand to serve as a template for synthesis.

Which one of the following best describes the above enzyme?

(a) Polymerase

(b) Helicase

(d) CRISPR-Cas9

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

Helicase is an enzyme that plays a key role in DNA replication by separating the two strands of the DNA double helix.
It uses adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to unwind DNA and break the bonds between complementary bases, thereby forming the replication fork. Hence, Helicase is correct.
DNA polymerase synthesises a new complementary DNA strand, whereas DNA ligase joins breaks or fragments in DNA.
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) is primarily known as a genome-editing system and does not perform the normal DNA-unwinding role described above.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Polity

Q3. ‘X’ was discussing the constitutional validity of hanging as a mode of execution. ‘X’ stated that the procedure prescribed for executing a death sentence must conform to the guarantee of dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. ‘Y’ pointed out that the Supreme Court has upheld hanging as a constitutional mode of execution and that a Law Commission recommendation for an alternative method does not automatically become binding law.

Based on the above, select the correct conclusion from the options given below:

(a) ‘X’ is correct in the interpretation of Article 21, including its application to prisoners sentenced to death.

(b) The view of ‘Y’ that hanging has been upheld as constitutionally valid is not correct.

(d) The view of only ‘Y’ is correct.

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

The Supreme Court recently upheld hanging as a constitutional mode of execution while reiterating that the protection of dignity under Article 21 extends even to prisoners sentenced to death.
The protection of life and personal liberty under Article 21 does not cease merely because a person has been sentenced to death, and the method of execution must conform to constitutional requirements of dignity and freedom from unnecessary brutality. Hence, the view of ‘X’ is correct.
The Supreme Court has upheld the constitutional validity of hanging, while Law Commission recommendations are recommendatory and not automatically binding on Parliament or the courts. Hence, the view of ‘Y’ is correct.
The 187th Report of the Law Commission of India (2003) recommended amending the law to provide lethal injection as an alternative mode of execution,

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Agriculture

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding Makhana:

Makhana is scientifically known as Euryale ferox and is an aquatic crop.
The edible part of the plant is its stem .
India is a major producer of makhana, with Bihar being its leading producing State.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1 and 3 only

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

Makhana has emerged from a traditional aquatic crop into an important agri-food product, supported by rising domestic demand, value addition and export potential.
Makhana, scientifically known as Euryale ferox, is mainly cultivated in shallow ponds, lakes and wetlands. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Its edible seed is processed and popped to produce the light and crunchy fox nut commonly consumed as a snack. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
India is a major global producer of makhana, with Bihar being the leading producing State. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Governance

Q5. The SAMAVESH Portal, recently seen in the news, is primarily associated with which one of the following?

(a) Providing a unified platform for digital health records, telemedicine and health insurance services

(b) Providing an integrated platform for agricultural marketing, crop procurement and electronic trading of farm produce

(d) Providing a centralised platform for disaster forecasting, early warning dissemination and emergency response coordination

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) Portal has recently been migrated to the SAMAVESH Portal developed by the National e-Governance Division (NeGD).
The portal is associated with the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) and facilitates NMBA-related digital services.
These services include e-Pledge, Nasha Mukti Mitr registration, reporting and other portal-based activities under the Abhiyaan.
The earlier NMBA portal has been discontinued, and future portal-based activities are to be carried out through the new SAMAVESH platform.

Hence, option (c) is correct.